Hammer attacker’s sentencing postponed due to lack of cells staff

The sentencing of a teenager who hit two boys over the head with a hammer had to be adjourned as there were no custody staff covering the cells at Bath Magistrates’ Court on the day.

The magistrates presiding over the youth court on Thursday 6th November had read a pre-sentence report compiled by the Probation Service, but were also due to hear from the Crown Prosecution Service and statements from the two victims before deciding on the most appropriate sentence for the 17-year-old defendant, who we cannot name for legal reasons.

The court’s legal advisor explained to the defendant that the decision to adjourn the case did not mean he would be going into custody, but it was one of the options under consideration, so sentencing could not take place without a cells team.

The advisor apologised on behalf of the court, saying the situation was “exceptionally unfortunate”.

At his court appearance in September, the teenager had admitted two charges of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

The unprovoked attacks happened on 25th June last year in Midsomer Norton and were made after the boy, who had been 16 at the time, had taken drugs and alcohol.

The 15-year-old victim needed stitches to a deep laceration. The 16-year-old victim lost a tooth, another was chipped, and he suffered a cut chin.

The sentencing will now take place at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 17th December. The teenager remains on bail until then.