Two teenage boys, aged 15 and 17, have been given custodial sentences for their part in a violent disorder in Bath, in which a man suffered cuts and bruises during an attack in September.
The boys were sentenced by Bath Youth Court on Thursday 14th December in connection with the incident, which happened on Saturday 9th September.
A 26-year-old man suffered cuts and bruises after being set upon by a group of youths in the Southgate Centre in an unprovoked attack.
Both boys admitted their part in the disorder. The 17-year-old was given a 12-month detention and training order (DTO).
The 15-year-old was sentenced to an eight-month DTO for the violent disorder, with a further four months to be served consecutively for breach of an earlier court order.
The court also granted an application made by the police Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Team for Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) for both boys.
On their release from detention, the order will prohibit them both from entering Bath city centre and from associating with each other or 20 other members of the group.
Magistrates were told that the boys’ behaviour had previously led them to be referred to the Youth Offending Service, but they had continued to be involved in ASB despite the support they were offered.
Neighbourhood Inspector Sarah Treweek said: “The neighbourhood team has been working hard, supported by the ASB team and in liaison with the community, to deal with the unacceptable behaviour of a group of up to 20 teenage boys and girls in recent weeks.
“These young people have been given every opportunity to mend their ways but their behaviour has gone beyond anti-social.
“Where we have the evidence of their involvement in offences we’ll continue to prosecute, while our ASB team will continue to use ASB legislation to curb their activities.”
Tim Harris of the police ASB team said: “This group of youths has been involved in a range of anti-social and criminal behaviour from damage to theft and this violent unprovoked attack on a stranger.
“It is a matter of sheer luck that no one was seriously hurt. The CBOs granted by the court will help to prevent further offending when they are released from detention.”
A number of other young people are due in court in January 2018 in connection with this incident, and again CBOs will be sought following any further convictions.