A teenage delinquent and his companion embarked on a six-week crime spree in Bromsgrove earlier this year, causing mayhem in the town. The 16-year-old, whose identity is protected by law, along with an undisclosed accomplice, committed a series of offenses that included burgling an 83-year-old man, shoplifting at Asda, and executing a knifepoint robbery.
Their first target was an 83-year-old man on Friday, March 3. Posing as council workers, they tricked their way into the man’s residence, stealing various items, including car keys, and then vandalizing his car to the extent that it was written off by the insurance company.
Not satisfied with their initial burglary, the pair revisited the elderly man’s house on Sunday, March 12, and again three days later, on Wednesday, March 15, each time breaking in and pilfering more valuables.
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A month later, as the teenager was under investigation for the burglaries, he was caught shoplifting at Asda in Bromsgrove on Sunday, April 16. Subsequently, in the same area, he and his co-defendant committed a knifepoint robbery.
Following a trial at Worcester Magistrates’ Court, the teenager was found guilty of robbery, theft, and possession of an offensive weapon. He was handed a 24-month detention sentence, serving a minimum of one year in custody, and received a 10-year protection from harassment restraining order.
The court also sentenced him to 24 months' detention for the robbery, shoplifting, and weapons offense, and 18 months' detention plus a training order for the burglaries, with both sentences to be served concurrently.
While the police expressed satisfaction with the verdict, one officer emphasized the rehabilitative aspect of the sentence, aiming to steer the boy away from a life of crime. DC Jodi Lothian, from the CID priorities team, stated, “Burglary causes great stress and upset to victims, but in this situation a man in his 80s has been preyed upon and his vulnerability has been taken advantage of which makes it all the more despicable. While we’re pleased that the boy will face justice for his actions, it’s important to note that the sentence handed to the youth in this case has a strong focus on rehabilitation.”
PC Green from the neighborhood crime-fighting team in north Worcestershire, who led the investigation into the theft and robbery, commented, “We are pleased the court has found this boy guilty of the offenses he committed. His actions caused a lot of trauma to the victim, which will stay with them for some time.”