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.