A teenager who attacked another youth in a town centre churchyard was handed a lengthy community order in lieu of jail time today.

Raheem Walcott, 18, of Roundhills in Waltham Abbey, was instead told by a judge to “get your life back on track” and given an 18 month community order.

Walcott denied common assault on March 21 this year but was convicted by a jury after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in October.

The jury acquitted him of possessing a knife, which he had also denied.

The attack happened in Abbey Church's courtyard, near the circle bench at around 5pm on March 21.

Co-defendant Taylor Bacchus-Williams, 19, of Bedburgham Court, Waltham Abbey, denied and was acquitted of common assault.

He was handed down the community order with 18 months’ probation and ordered to attend a thinking skills course and 10 days of employment, education and training activity.

Judge David Turner  told Walcott: “This will punish you in a constructive way and give you an opportunity to get some help to get your life back on track.

“You are at an age where you have a lot of life ahead of you and you can throw it away and enter the criminal justice system and start going into custody if that’s what you want, but I hope you don’t want that so this is a chance to pick up the threads and make something of yourself.

The court was told that Walcott was involved in an argument with a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, which turned violent.

The victim suffered a split lip and grazes.

Walcott claimed the victim had shoved him in the chest first, then there was pushing and grappling between them.

Judge Turner said: “It was a nonsense street episode which got completely out of hand.”

Walcott denied carrying a knife and threatening the teen, which he had alleged in court.