AN abusive teenager who swore at a policeman and threatened to punch him has been placed under the supervision of a youth offending team.
AN abusive teenager who swore at a policeman and threatened to punch him has been placed under the supervision of a youth offending team.
The 17-year-old, from Ipswich, reacted angrily when police started questioning another youth in the area of Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich, and erupted into a threatening rant.
When he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court yesterday he pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour.
David Taylor, prosecuting, told the court that police had been called after a report of youths acting suspiciously in the area on July 12.
After they arrived they spoke to one youth but soon after a group who had been nearby got involved. It was then that the 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, approached an officer with a clenched fist.
The court heard that the sergeant told him to back off but the teen swore at him and said: “I'm going to punch you, I'm going to punch you in the head.”
Magistrates were told he was standing in a “fighting stance” and the officer was forced to put him on the ground and arrest him.
The boy, who had drunk eight cans of Stella Artois beer prior to the confrontation, told the court: “I was with my friends and had a bit too much to drink.
“Basically I didn't know what I was doing, I got out of control. I should have just left it alone.
“I'm sorry for my mistakes.”
Magistrate Ken Turner told him: “You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and we've taken that into account but this is pretty serious against a police officer.
“Because it's a serious one we are going to make a referral order for a period of six months. You will meet with the Youth Offending Service and go before a referral panel.
“Hopefully you will gain something from it and perhaps lose the aggression.”
The boy was also ordered to pay £50 toward court costs.
What do you think of the way the court system deals with youths? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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