A “MUMMY’S BOY” with an ever-expanding criminal record has escaped a spell in a young offenders institute after his solicitor convinced magistrates he will change his ways.
In a show of faith, the bench spared the 16-year-old a custodial sentence after he added two more convictions to his growing list.
The Winsford youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted two charges of theft at Vale Royal Youth Court on Wednesday.
Carolyn Viviani, prosecuting, said the matters related to the theft of lager from a newsagent’s on October 11 and 17. The teenager has previous convictions for burglary, criminal damage and racially aggravated threatening behaviour.
Derek MacDonald, defending, said his client had “gone off the rails” after his parents split up last year. But he told the court he is optimistic the teenager would be kept on the straight and narrow now he is living with his mum.
“He’s always been a bit of a mummy’s boy,” said Mr MacDonald.
“It really is the last chance saloon for him,” he added. “I’ve said it before but I think this really is a crossroads.”
As part of an intensive 12-month supervision order, the youth will be electronically tagged and subject to a 7pm to 7am curfew every night for three months.
The chairman of the bench, John Argust, told the defendant: “These matters, combined with your record, which you’ve accumulated very quickly, mean that we have to give serious consideration to locking you up.
“We are not going to do that and the main reason is your mum. We think you being back with her will change you for the better.”
