A TEENAGER has been warned he could face a lengthy jail sentence after admitting to his part in a town centre attack.

Tate Heeney has now admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a 17-year-old boy suffered injuries to his lung and arm in an attack in Osborne Street, Colchester, in January.

A trial had been scheduled for next month but will now not take place.

Heeney’s co-defendant Ben Goodspeed, 18, admitted the same charge when he appeared in court earlier this year.

The victim staggered around 15ft before collapsing and was rushed to hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition.

Goodspeed had been armed with a knife, while Heeney had another weapon.

Gazette:

Admission - Tate Heeney

Police launched a manhunt to try to find both Heeney and Goodspeed in the hours after the attack.

Detectives described the incident as targeted and urged the pair to give themselves up.

Colchester’s district commander Chief Insp Shaun Kane made a personal plea to the teenager to hand themselves in and said his officers were working around the clock to try to apprehend them.

Police were initially treating the incident as attempted murder.

The pair handed themselves in at Colchester Police Station more than ten days after the attack and were both charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.

Heeney was 17 at the time of the incident meaning he could not be identified after he had been charged.

But he has since turned 18 meaning the Gazette can legally identify him.

After hearing his plea at Ipswich Crown Court, Judge Martyn Levett said he was unable to predict what punishment the sentencing judge would hand down but warned Heeney to get ready for what could be a significant prison term.

Heeney was granted bail until he is sentenced while Goodspeed is remanded in custody. Judge Levett said: “There are sentencing guidelines for this sort of offence.

“You should prepare yourself and be warned you could be serving a lengthy sentence bearing in mind the offence you have admitted.

“If you fail to turn up the judge will take that as a failure to co-operate and treat it as an offence under the bail act.

“It is likely they will impose a prison sentence of up to 12 months for a breach of bail.”

A pre-sentence report was ordered on Heeney to look at any psychological or behavioural issues he is suffering from.

Gazette:

Report - Ben Goodspeed

The court heard a report into Goodspeed has been delayed but will be written in the next few weeks.

Heeney, of The Crescent, Great Horkesley, and Goodspeed, of Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, will be sentenced back at Ipswich Crown Court in the week beginning August 6.