Knife boy mugger sentenced (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Knife boy mugger sentenced

4:02pm Wednesday 22nd October 2008

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THE mother of a nine-year-old girl who was robbed at knifepoint has criticised the sentence given to the 11-year-old attacker.

The tiny thug, who lives in Walthamstow, was put on curfew for three months, meaning he will wear an electronic tag and is banned from going out between 8pm and 6am each day.

He was also handed a 12-month supervision order when he appeared at Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

His mother was given a 12-month parenting order.

The victim's mother, speaking after the hearing, said: "Where was the compensation for my daughter? She has gone through months of trauma.

"I don't think this is justice at all. I think the magistrates have taken pity on the boy's mother because she has mental health problems.

"If this kid wants to act like an adult, he should be treated like one. I believe he should have been given community service where he would have to do labour in public.

"I have no confidence in the judicial system at all."

Her daughter was walking to her grandmother's house when the baby-faced mugger, who was ten at the time, approached her.

He demanded she hand over her DS Nintendo games console and when she refused he brandished a flick knife.

She declined a second time and ran off.

The attempted robbery happened near Millfield Avenue at the junction of Guildsway, Walthamstow, in April.

The boy was found guilty at a previous hearing.

Bench chairwoman Sandra Da Costa said she was worried about the way the Youth Offending Team (YOT) carried out a report into the robber and his mother.

She said a previous hearing should have been adjourned for longer than a week so that a proper report into the child mugger and his mother could be carried out.

She expressed concerns that the mum could be "obstructive" if asked to take her son to YOT meetings.

“As a single parent myself I understand the situation you are. in but the report says you allow your son to stay out late at night which is a concern to social services in Waltham Forest,” said Mrs Da Costa, who awarded £150 costs to the prosecution.

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