Two local teenagers, aged 16 and 17, have been sentenced at Weymouth Youth Court after admitting three knifepoint robberies in Sherborne.
The incidents occurred in Powys Lane between 6.40pm and 9.15pm on Saturday 28 April 2018.
The victims, who were aged between 15 and 17, were approached by two male offenders with knives who demanded their wallets.
Following the incidents officers were able to identify the two defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, from descriptions given and they were arrested later that same evening. A large hunting-type knife was found near to where they were arrested and subsequent DNA analysis revealed a match for both defendants.
At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday 3 October 2018, the pair were handed a 12-month referral order, which will require them to work with various agencies in a bid to prevent further offending.
The 17-year-old defendant was also made the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order for a period of two years. The order states he must not:
• Act or incite others to behave in an anti-social manner, that is to say a manner that causes harassment, alarm or distress to any persons within the commission area of Dorset.
• Use or incite others to use threatening intimidating, insulting or abusive words or behaviour in any place to which the public has access in the commission area of Dorset.
• Enter the town of Sherborne.
Neighbourhood Inspector Neil Wood, of Sherborne police, said: “We appreciate that these incidents will have caused concern among the local community and we will not tolerate knife crime in the area.
“In this case we were able to quickly identify the offenders and ensure they faced the judicial process.
“These sentences give the young defendants a chance to address their offending behaviour and the securing of a Criminal Behaviour Order will help us enforce this.
“Dorset Police recognises knife crime is a concern among young people and that prevention work is key. Staff from our Safer Schools Teams work with schools to help educate young people about the dangers of carrying knifes and the tragic consequences that using a knife can lead to.”
If you are concerned that anyone is carrying a knife, please report it to the police online by visiting www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online or call 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Other support, advice and reporting options are also available:
• KnifeFree provides advice and signposts support services, as well as activities to help young people turn away from knife crime. www.knifefree.co.uk
• Fearless is a service that allows you to pass on information about crime 100 per cent anonymously. This means you don’t have to give us any personal details. www.fearless.org
