A troubled foster-child hit the bottle and set upon two youngsters in Wickford after a tense meeting about his behaviour.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, lost control following a tough meeting with his foster parents and social services.

After downing a bottle of cider, the youngster was said to have been "drunk", Basildon Youth Court heard.

He admitted he then headed for Wickford Memorial Park where he confronted two boys, aged 11 and 13, and asked for cigarettes.

The pair could not help so the youngster swung to punch one of the boys, missed but managed to connect a punch with the other.

The boys fled, leaving a bike they had been pushing behind.

The court heard how the defendant jumped on the bike, fell off, then chased after the pair asking if he could keep the bike.

He went on to sell the bike for £10 in Wickford town centre.

The teenager pleaded guilty to charges of theft and common assault and was placed under a one year supervision order

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