A schoolboy who carried out a horrific machete attack on a child in broad daylight has narrowly avoided jail. The 15-year-old, who launched the assault on the boy, 14, in July last year, described it as the "mistake of [his] life" in court.
He previously admitted to carrying a machete and causing grievous bodily harm without intent earlier this month. The offender is from the Ingleby Barwick area but cannot be identified for legal reasons, Teesside Live reports.
Appearing at Teesside Youth Court on Wednesday, he said: "I am so sorry for my actions, it was the mistake of my life and if I could change just one thing, I would change this."
A huge police presence descended on Preston Park, Eaglescliffe, on July 17 last year, after reports a teenager had been attacked and suffered a stab wound. A group of around 60 to 70 youths had congregated in the car park close to the adventure playground at the time of the incident, at around 6.30pm, with Cleveland Police dispersing a large crowd of teenagers.
It was later confirmed a 14-year-old boy had been taken the hospital via ambulance after suffering a stab wound to his arm. The sentencing hearing was told the attacker was 14 at the time and had "acquired" a machete before covering his face. He then used the weapon to attack his victim, causing a 7cm cut to the child's arm which required surgery.
In interview, the victim said: "I was very scared when it happened" and described the attack as "horrific". Defence solicitor Shannon Woodley argued that the attacker, who appeared in court alongside his mum, should not receive a custodial sentence. She said it was his first offence and he was "not someone who is in and out of trouble".
The youngster previously denied a section 18 wounding offence which was later dropped by the prosecution. District Judge Helen Cousins questioned the decision by the CPS to drop the charge, which is the most serious offence of violence, saying it had restricted her sentencing options.
Describing the attack as "appalling", District Judge Cousins said the boy deserved a custodial sentence due to the seriousness of the attack and that the public expected people to be locked up for such crimes. She added: "There was no reasonable explanation for why you behaved in that way." However she said it would not be in his best interests to be locked up given his lack of previous offences and his remorse.
The boy was given a 12-month intensive referral order and ordered to pay £500 in compensation and £620 in court costs.
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