A Carlisle youth has been sent to custody for a string of crimes, despite a plea from his mum for the teen to be given another chance.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified because he is under 18, was caught in possession of a knife in a sheath when stopped and searched by a police officer at St Nicholas Bridges on April 23. The teen claimed to have it for his own protection.
In mid-July he stole alcohol from an off-licence at Furze Street.
And he got in more trouble in Middlesbrough on August 12. Officers spotted a Vauxhall Corsa travelling along a trunk road at 9.40pm without lights and on the wrong side of the road, Carlisle Youth Court heard today.
After it drove into a filling station forecourt, the teen driver swapped seats with another male. Police pulled in front of the vehicle and when the youth was spoken to, officers noted his speech was slurred, pupils were dilated and he smelled of cannabis.
He gave a name which proved to be false when fingerprints were taken and examined.
The youth admitted illegal possession of a knife in public, theft, driving whilst disqualified, police obstruction, no insurance and failing to provide an evidential specimen. He also admitted failing to comply with a previously imposed youth rehabilitation order.
Addressing District Judge John Temperley, he admitted he deserved a custodial sentence. But he added: “All I would ask is don’t keep me in for Christmas.”
His mum told the district judge her son had gone off the rails after committing the knife crime, and asked for him to be given a second chance after earlier good progress.
But District Judge Temperley said in few of previous spurned opportunities: “I’m afraid the point of last resort is upon us.” He imposed a six-month detention and training order, and ordered the youth to serve a 12-month driving ban when released at the halfway point of the custodial term.”
