A 14-year-old boy who had already committed 18 crimes this year has been caught with a knife.

In the early hours of September 21, police started a search for a boy from Lowestoft who had broken a rehabilitation order and was found at 4.30am in Hollingsworth Road with a knife in his coat pocket.

The boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons – appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 25) and pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place.

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He was sentenced to an eight-month Detention and Training Order.  

He had previously appeared before magistrates on September 18 where he was placed under an 18-month Youth Rehabilitation Order for pleading guilty to 18 offences this year.

They include driving while unqualified, three burglaries, handling stolen goods, assaults on emergency workers and police, common assault, criminal damage, possession of cannabis and possession of a knife.

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The boy was also subject to another previous Youth Rehabilitation Order that had been issued by Norwich Magistrates’ Court on July 10, for taking a vehicle without consent and driving without a licence and without insurance.

Sergeant Richard Bemment, of Lowestoft Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This individual is a prolific offender, which given his age is deeply concerning.

“Despite the best efforts of magistrates to grant him the opportunity for rehabilitation, he seemed intent to not abide by the conditions given to him."