Teen admits his role in masked gang attack at Radstock home

A 14-year-old who was part of a balaclava-clad group that beat up a boy last December has appeared before a youth court in Bath to admit causing actual bodily harm.

He was 13 at the time he committed the assault, magistrates heard on Thursday 11th September.

His parents were also in court for the hearing at which a video taken on a mobile phone of the attack was shown on a large screen, as well as doorbell footage of the group arriving and leaving the house in Radstock where it took place.

The court was told that the victim was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath following the attack, as he was suffering from blurred vision.

He had received threats of violence via social media app Snapchat prior to the attack due to him talking to the ex-girlfriend of one of the members of the group.

Magistrates heard that the 14-year-old before them, who is from the Frome area, was not the main perpetrator of the attack on 23rd December but had been susceptible to peer pressure and negative influence.

He admitted: “I feel really bad for the kid, I wish I never done it.”

The court heard that he has been abiding by an informal acceptable behaviour contract after his concerned mother took him to the police, and he has been working with the Youth Justice Service team.

Magistrates sentenced him to a referral order for 10 months. Such an order is a way of dealing with young people aged between 10 and 17 who have appeared in court for the first time and pleaded guilty to the offence.

It aims to prevent re-offending by making sure the young person is made aware of the impact and consequences of their criminal activity.

It gives the young person a second chance of a non-criminal future, provided the Youth Offender Panel agrees that they have kept to the terms of their contract.

Magistrates also ordered that £200 compensation be paid to the victim.

Two other children have already been sentenced by the youth court in Bath for their roles in the attack.

On 28th August a boy aged 15, who lives near Peasedown St John, admitted causing actual bodily harm and a further assault by beating on the same victim on 12th February 2025 in Radstock.

Magistrates made a 12-month referral order for the more recent assault and ordered compensation of £300 be paid to the victim.

The 15-year-old received a concurrent 12-month referral order for the assault on 23rd December. A £26 surcharge was also imposed. Revenue from surcharges funds victim services through the Victim and Witness General Fund.

A boy from Peasedown St John who was 13 at the time of the attack on 23rd December also pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm when he appeared in court on 28th August.

Now 14, he received a six-month referral order and magistrates ordered £75 compensation to the victim.

Two other boys aged 16, one from Radstock and one from Peasedown St John, also appeared at the youth court in Bath last Thursday charged in connection with the attack.

Both are accused of assault causing actual bodily harm. They have pleaded not guilty and will go on trial on 16th February 2026.

The public are not allowed inside youth courts, but journalists with UK press cards are allowed to cover cases, with the magistrates’ permission.

Although reporting restrictions prevent the youths being named or giving other information that might identify them, The Youth Court Bench Book, published by the Judicial College, states: “Fair and accurate reports of proceedings, even where individuals are not identified, should be encouraged where appropriate as they can help promote public confidence.”