Teenage terror back in court
A TEARAWAY teenager has appeared in court after continuing to commit crimes in defiance of an order placed on him aged just 13.
Fresh-faced Charlie Mitchell, now aged 15, has been convicted of theft and other offences after an anti-social behaviour order imposed on him two years ago.
Mitchell, of Thames Gardens in Efford, appeared before Plymouth magistrates yesterday to face an application by the city council to extend his order until his 18th birthday.
The original two-year order was imposed after the court heard in 2007 that he had 'mindlessly destroyed' people's property, targeted local churches and abused and intimidated elderly residents.
Notorious for shoplifting from local stores, he also lied his way into the homes of the elderly to steal from them.
Mitchell, who turned up at court carrying a huge stick of pink bubblegum, is still banned from large areas of Laira and Efford and from committing illegal or unsociable acts.
His latest offences, which were not spelt out in court, breached that order.
Mitchell was also ordered to stay indoors between 9am and 7pm for the first 12 months of the order, unless accompanied by someone over 18.
But the original order expires on March 21, and the council's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit want to extend it to January 18 2012.
Senior lawyer Dylan Sadler said that the committal of the latest offences justified the extension of the order.
Presiding magistrate Helen Harris said: "I have seen you in Youth Court before and both my colleagues have seen you as well.
"We all know you had an Asbo and know that you carried on offending.
"You know what the implications are for your behaviour.
"You should not have committed any crimes. You had an Asbo for two years and carried on offending. We all know what will happen and you know what will happen.
"You are 15 now and you know what your behaviour is like."
Sarah Glanville, for Mitchell, asked for an adjournment before any decision was made on extending the order so that a psychological report can be made on the teenager.
She also asked for an order banning the identification of Mitchell as a youth. But magistrates refused to grant an order after representations from The Herald.
The case was adjourned until March 20.
In March 2007 the court heard police say that Mitchell was a 'hardened criminal' at the age of 12.
He was said to have damaged people's gardens, fences, washing lines and entered properties with no concern at all.
Mitchell had entered a car and released the hand brake so it rolled into another vehicle.
The court heard that he had shoplifted and refused to attend school.
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by simon, EFFORD
Thursday, April 30 2009, 10:00PM
“i think the bull that has been published here is out of order how do u think people will react to charlie now i think it is out of order . there is worse people than charlie all kids get into trouble so give the kid a chance for f*** sake ...”
by me x, Efford
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 9:59PM
“well i no charlie and his family and get on really well with them, And how can you blame charlie for everything cause if you have children yourself you must know that kids do everything for a reason. And its also none of your buisness if you dont no the kid all dont even live in efford so keep yourself to your self and theres fault in every area not just efford/laira.”
by jo, efford
Tuesday, March 24 2009, 9:25PM
“You have all blown this well out of order what the hell as this lad got to do with the war,(man in torquay) and lady from plymco well iv seen charlies mum and she does her best at all times with all her kids and she dosnt need the likes of you slagging her cause you must have such a perfect life,well there are worse kids and adults in efford this kid is just being made a mockry of because hes been caught ,leave the family alone your not helping matters.”
by Molly, Mannamead
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 10:00PM
“This child's crimes will not cease until the Devon and Cornwall constabulary march over to his family residence and smash it to bits.”
by amos, mannamead
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 2:42PM
“dear mike, torquay,
your one of those people who have nothing better to do but criticise others.
people are feed up to the back teeth of listening 2 people like yourself. there is a world of difference between dysfunctional families and a war we shouldnt even be involved in but how you can compare the 2 is beyond the comprehension of such idiocy.
people are feed up with scroungers and delinquent kids they breed and something positive should be done now before these kids become adults, producing their own offspring who will be 10 times worse than charlie.
personally if he'd have had a descent upbringing he'd probably been a good kid but children learn from their parents, most of the time!!
enough said”