Teenager sentenced after robbing victim and threatening them with acid
The 15-year-old victim says he struggled to sleep at night after the incident
A 17-year-old boy from London, who cannot be named because of his age, has been sentenced to a six-month Detention and Training Order, after a robbery in Brentwood last year.
In February 2023, a 15-year-old boy was approached by two people at a fast food restaurant in High Street, where he was shown a bottle of acid, held under his nose to prove its contents, and threatened.
He handed over his phone and coat, contacting police once the people had left.
A 17-year-old was arrested on March 8th, 2023, and later denied a charge of robbery, but was convicted after a trial at Southend Youth Court on Tuesday (April 16th).
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the victim said he "struggled to sleep every night" because of the incident, and that he blamed himself and "felt guilt for what had happened" to him.
The 17-year-old was also ordered to pay £500 to the victim in compensation.
Officer in the case Detective Constable Joshua Yelland, of Brentwood CID, said:
“This was a serious offence which would cause fear and panic to any right-thinking member of the public – let alone a 15-year-old boy.
“Right from the outset, we were determined to identify a suspect and secure justice for the victim.
“Support was in place for him from the start of our investigation and I would praise his patience and maturity in sticking with us through the court process.
“I want the public to know and understand incidents which involve the threat or use of serious violence are taken extremely seriously.”