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A teenage boy has escaped a custodial sentence “by a whisker” following a “violent” altercation in which he gave another boy several blows to the head.
The 17-year-old, who appeared before the Youth Court on Tuesday charged with affray and resisting arrest, was sentenced to 90 hours of community service and a 12-month probation order.
In handing down her decision, Magistrate Bridget Shaw, who sat on a panel with Matthew Beddoe and Gary Martin, commented: “The physical injuries in this case have not been life-changing but with this sort of assault they can be… The injuries could have been catastrophic.”
At worst, Magistrate Shaw said that the hits to the other boy's head could have caused brain damage.
She added that the boy will need to learn how to manage difficult situations “in ways other than by using violence” and that, if he does not do so and breaches his probation order, will likely face custody.
When asked, “Do you think we’re going to see you again?”, the teenager shook his head.
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