A teenager has been sentenced for criminal damage, shoplifting and burglary at a Southampton court. 

The 13-year-old boy from Hythe, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was handed a nine-month referral order at Southampton Youth Court. 

It follows a spree of incidents in Blackfield, Totton, Marchwood and Hythe earlier this year. 

He appeared in court on September 16 and September 23 where he pleaded guilty to shoplifting, criminal damage, burglary two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and a public order offence. 

The boy was referred to the Hampshire Youth Offending Panel for six months.

It followed the theft of alcohol from Co-op, Marchwood Village Centre on May 26 and the assault of two police officers in Hythe on May 27.

He was ordered to pay £50 in compensation to each officer.

At the second hearing, the teenager had his referral order extended by three months and was ordered to pay a further £100 in compensation.

That followed a public order incident on Hampton Lane, Blackfield on June 5, a burglary at Subway, Water Lane, Totton on May 31 and criminal damage of a planter and door at Adelaide Clarks Ltd, High Street, Hythe on June 6.

PC Nathan Grimley said, “During the incidents described above, people and businesses in the local area were significantly impacted, something we can never tolerate, no matter what the age of the offender.

“When it comes to dealing with young offenders, in the majority of cases the most suitable option is to work closely with youth offending teams and local diversionary services, to divert youngsters away from crime, and set them on the right path so they can make a positive contribution to society.

“We don’t want to unnecessarily criminalise children, so will always seek the most proportionate route to dealing with young people whose behaviour has crossed the line into criminality.

“As a neighbourhood team, our work to tackle youth-related anti-social behaviour has a huge impact on reducing young offending.

“However, there’s a small minority whose offending causes such an impact that the most appropriate option open to us is prosecution.

“On this specific occasion, it was only right that the impact of the offending on individuals and businesses was reflected through the charges that were brought to court.

“As a result of this individual’s actions, he will now have a criminal record and will be required to report to the Hampshire Youth Offending Panel on a regular basis to ensure there is no repeat offending.

“Getting a criminal record at such a young age can have a detrimental impact on a person’s future, so I really hope that this can be a lesson to other young people that actions have very real consequences, not only to victims, but also to you as the offender.

“I hope the outcome at court and the referral order imposed here will help to protect the community as a whole going forward, as well as divert this boy away from any further criminality.

“Please be assured that we will continue to work hard to reduce this type of offending across our communities. As part of that, we continue to investigate those suspected of being involved in other similar incidents reported to us and will continue to keep you all updated on any developments, where possible.”