A YOUNGSTER who squirted breath freshener in a paperboy's eyes has been given a six-month referral order.The 11-year-old, from Ipswich, admitted assaulting the paperboy on July 10 also going equipped for theft at the bike park in Tower Ramparts three days earlier.

A YOUNGSTER who squirted breath freshener in a paperboy's eyes has been given a six-month referral order.

The 11-year-old, from Ipswich, admitted assaulting the paperboy on July 10 also going equipped for theft at the bike park in Tower Ramparts three days earlier.

Prosecutor David Taylor, said the paperboy was on his round when he had a piece of wood and some berries thrown at him by a group of youths.

The delivery boy continued his round but the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, followed him with two others and swore at him.

Mr Taylor said: "From a distance of about 25 cm [the 11-year-old] sprayed an aerosol can directly into his eyes for about two seconds.

"He said he couldn't open his eyes, they were stinging really badly and were sore for hours. They were watery and puffy.

"Thankfully there was no lasting injury."

Howard Catherall, mitigating, said his client feared he would go to prison.

Mr Catherall told South East Suffolk Magistrates: "He is a young boy who perhaps doesn't really appreciate the consequences of his actions at this stage."

The youngster apologised to magistrates saying: "I wish I had never done it."

The boy, who has no previous convictions, also admitted going equipped after he was spotted looking suspicious in the area of Tower Ramparts three days earlier.

He was seen with another child holding a pair of bolt croppers and taking an interest in the pedal cycles.

In sentencing bench chairwoman Diane Hunt told him: "Squirting something in someone's face is a beastly thing to do."

He was ordered to pay £10 compensation.