Boy carried knife and called police himself as 'cry for help'

A 16-year-old boy appeared at Chelmsford Youth Court on Friday and admitted one charge of carrying a sharply pointed item in Maldon High Street.

Serena Berry, prosecuting, told the court the defendant, from Chelmsford, called the police himself on the evening of July 8 to report he was in possession of a knife and told them his location.

“He showed police a large knife that was concealed in his waistband,” Ms Berry said.

“By virtue of that, he was arrested… His intention was to get arrested.”

The advocate said the defendant found the kitchen-style knife in a bin storage area and took it with the intention to get arrested because he believed it would enable him to access mental health support.

They said: “It was a massive cry for help.

“He has struggled with mental health for most of his life.

“He’s just in this really difficult stage of his life where he’s got so much going on in his mind.”

The court heard the defendant’s mental health suffered after his parent’s divorce and the sudden death of his mother in an accident.

The defendant’s father, who supported his son in court, told magistrates they had been seeking mental health support for some time without success.

Justice Mr Race asked the defendant about his plans to study to be an electrician. The defendant said he had completed some work experience and wanted to do something easy.

After some chuckles in the courtroom, Mr Race said: “You just want an easy life but a lot of money. That’s what we all want.”

Magistrates gave the defendant a nine-month referral order and directed him to speak with the Youth Justice Service.

“Explain to them exactly the sort of help you think you need,” Mr Race said.

“We’re going to hopefully, through this referral, give you the help that you need.”