Teenagers prosecuted as police tackle issues in the West Wight

Officers have been tackling youth-related anti-social behaviour and criminality in the West Wight area, and two teenagers have been dealt with through the courts this week as a result of police enquiries.

A 14-year-old boy from Freshwater was handed a 12 month Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO) at the Isle of Wight Youth Court yesterday (Wednesday 7 June).

The boy admitted one count of burglary, after he broke into the West Wight Sport and Community Centre in Freshwater and stole a can of drink.

He was already subject to a Referral Order for previous offending in the area, but this has now been revoked and the YRO has been issued in its place.

The YRO is the highest punishment the court can award before considering a term of imprisonment, and includes an exclusion zone banning the boy from entering a specified area.

Under the conditions of the YRO, the boy must also participate in community reparation activities for 8 days, attend appointments with the Youth Offending Team when requested to do so, and his parent/guardian must pay a £26 victim surcharge.

In a separate case, which was also heard at the Youth Court yesterday, a 14-year-old girl from Shalfleet was sentenced for a number of offences in the Ningwood area.

The teenager pleaded guilty to harassing a man between 1 and 21 May this year, which included attending the man’s address, damaging his property and stealing eggs.

She also admitted common assault against the man, in addition to causing criminal damage to plants at the man’s address, and criminal damage to another man’s garage.

The girl was handed an 8 month Referral Order by the Youth Court, and a 12 month restraining order against the harassment victim.

Her parent/guardian must also pay £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Inspector Matt Gooding said: “We know that youth-related anti-social behaviour (ASB) has been a real concern to residents in the West Wight area, and these two individuals in particular have made lives miserable for a number of people.

“Where we deal with youth ASB, we work with Community Safety partners and local services to divert youngsters away from this type of behaviour so they can make a positive contribution to society.

“Sadly there are still a very small minority whose continuous offending does require us to take more robust action through the courts.

“We want to stamp out this type of behaviour, and encourage affected residents to please keep reporting this to us so we can take the most appropriate action to reduce any disruption to the local community.”