A 16-year-old boy from Thurrock admitted charges of aggravated burglary and possessing a bladed weapon when he appeared at Southend Youth Court today (Tuesday, 22 August).

The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested on Blackshots playing fields by police officers who responded quickly to the robbery at the Co-op store on the parade at Socketts Heath on Saturday, 15 April.

He was found in possession of two bottles of vodka, stolen from the store after he vaulted the counter and threatened a member of staff. Officers also found a Stanley knife in his back-pack.

During the raid a large kitchen knife was also found behind the counter, apparently dropped by the thief as he grabbed the alcohol and then made his escape.

The court was told that the woman behind the stored was shocked and scared when the youth climbed over the counter. Her words were relayed by the crown prosecutor: "He came over the counter towards me, I shouted at him to get back, while he shouted 'Get me the vodka'.

"He stepped to the left and reached out for the vodka when I noticed the knife on the floor. I reached out and grabbed it and put in in a bin. It was not one we used within the store, it was a black handled kitchen knife."

She went on to say that she was panicked and scared by the intrusion but did manage to press the alarm button and contact other members of staff by the internal radio microphone system used in the store.

Once the youth had grabbed the two bottles he climbed back over the counter and left the store.

The incident was captured on CCTV.

After he had left the store police responded  and officers spotted him and arrested him on the nearby King George Playing Fields at Blackshots. He told police he had stolen one bottle to sell, the other to drink.

The court heard that the youth, who lives with his mother in Grays, had no previous convictions and was not 'on the radar' of local children's services. Asked if he could give any explanation about why he committed the robbery, he said he did not know why. He added he believed he had a drinking problem.

He was quizzed by district judge Caroline Jackson about his state of mind and his health and she also asked about his schooling. He said he had not attended school for some time but could not say how long. He did not take any exams despite being in the year 11 age group. He said he did not understand why he did what he did and that he was having some mental health difficulties. However, he told the court that he had stopped drinking.

He told the court he was sorry for the trauma caused to the shop worker.

Southend Magistrates' Court.

The boy's mother told the court that his recent family history was troubled and that an incident, which we cannot mention because it might lead to identification, had been extremely testing and left him in a traumatised state – after which his behaviour had changed.

Judge Jackson told the youth that he had committed 'very serious' offences and that, had he been two years older, he would have found himself in Crown Court with the possibility of up to four years jail.

As it was, he still faced the possibility of being put in youth detention, but she added she was minded, because it was a first offence and because of the circumstances he found himself in, to take a route that was more likely to lead to rehabilitation and offer him help.

He was sentenced to undertake a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and ordered to pay court costs and a surcharge totalling £171. The bill will be paid in instalments by his parents, who are separated but both supported him in court, but he was told by the judge he had a responsibility to find a way to pay them back.

At the conclusion of the trial Judge Jackson offered words of encouragement to the youth and said he would benefit if he fully complied with the order and added that she sincerely hoped she did not see him in court again.

Thurrock divisional police commander Chief Inspector Anthony Atkin told Thurrock Nub News: "Our officers responded quickly to this report, attending the location within minutes of the call coming in and arresting the boy within 12 minutes.

"Incidents such as these are rare, however are incredibly distressing incident for the victims and local community and calls such as these will always be attended quickly and investigated thoroughly to reduce knife crime in Essex."