A TEARAWAY youngster who mentally and physically tortured his family is today awaiting his fate after his latest offence.

A TEARAWAY youngster who “mentally and physically tortured” his family is today awaiting his fate after his latest offence.

The 14-year-old from south east Ipswich, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to common assault after he attacked an eight-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl in May this year.

His mother told the court that the teenager was violent towards both her and his sisters, to the extent that she had nearly reported him to police.

The court heard how the two victims were playing when they spotted the boy coming towards them. They ran away but he followed them, and when he caught up, he pushed the eight-year-old in the chest, and hit the 13-year-old girl on the hand with a stick, causing her knuckles to swell.

He is currently undergoing a 12-month referral order following a previous common assault charge last year.

The boy's mother told the court: “He is still violent towards me and his sisters.

“I have nearly reported him for assault myself and it is only a matter of time until I do unless he improves.

“I think the law should be changed. He gets to go on holiday to Yorkshire (through the probation order) whereas it is me and the girls that need the holiday.

“We go through mental and physical torture on a daily basis. He has caused me a lot of stress.

“It has gone beyond a joke.”

Chair of the bench, Jim Wyllie, said to the boy: “The best thing you can do is think how you would feel if people behaved to you as you are behaving to your mother and your sisters. You wouldn't like it.

“I know I'm an old man as far as you are concerned, but this is good advice.”

The youth offending team told the court that they found his behaviour was acceptable on a one-to-one basis but recommended a report to be written, given his vulnerable home life.

The case was adjourned until October 4 allowing time for a pre-sentence report to be completed.

How do you think the authorities should deal with unruly youngsters? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.