A schoolboy was today behind bars for subjecting a family to a campaign of terror and intimidation.
The 16-year-old left the family so scared they are now planning to move away, a judge has been told.
The judge decided the youth should be locked up for the misery he caused to his victims even though he had no previous convictions.
The Corringham teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to common assault, threatening to kill and actual bodily harm.
The court heard how on January 9 2004 there was an incident where the defendant punched and kicked the victim several times.
The youth then visited the victim's house on February 27 and his mother answered the door.
After she told him her son wasn't in, the defendant then said: "I am going to kill your son."
On yet another occasion he headbutted him, causing the victim to fall over and he later had to have nine stitches.
Mitigating for the youth, Mr Farah Ahmed said: "Here is a young boy with a very bright future ahead of him. He is currently doing his GCSEs and he has a place in college.
"The main problem has been alcohol and he has agreed to stop drinking. He has also recognised he needs anger management. He has no previous convictions."
However, the judge added: "It is quite wrong that people should get away with this kind of unprovoked violence."
The youth was sentenced to a detention training order for 12 months for each offence to run concurrently.
Published Thursday June 10, 2004
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