A 17-year-old boy stands in Manchester's youth court, head bowed and looking sheepish. His mum is stood next to him, a face full of fear.
He has admitted a number of offences including being caught by police in possession of a six-inch kitchen knife in a public place, namely Heaton Park. READ MORE: " The only way it ends is death or jail": The fear and anger about stabbings on north Manchester's streets Asked by the magistrates if there is any 'specific reason' he was carrying a knife the boy mumbles “not really", in reply.
The boy has no previous convictions and is sentenced to a six month Referral Order which requires him to meet with the Youth Justice Service to draw up a contract of rehabilitation.
His mum agrees to pay her son’s costs totalling £107 at a rate of £10 a week and the hearing is over in a matter of minutes.
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