THREE teenagers equipped with knives and tools damaged mobility scooters during an attempted burglary, a court heard.
Police were called to Puddletown Crescent in Poole after a resident spotted three boys breaking locks off sheds and breaking into a storeroom.
An elderly resident’s mobility scooter was left unusable and had to pay £1,296 to repair the damages.
Officers later caught a trio of boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
When searched by police, a 16-year-old was found with a machete, a 17-year-old with a Stanley knife and a 15-year-old had bolt cutters, pliers, and a screwdriver.
The trio each pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal and faced charges for separate offences individually.
Prosecution barrister, Siobhan Oxley, told Poole Magistrates Court on October 24 told the court that the victim has been left anxious and has difficulty sleeping following the incident.
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Defending the 16-year-old, Mr James Moore, said that the boy has been living in care since being taken away from his mother and ‘has not had it easy’.
He was given a referral order for six months and ordered to pay £585 in compensation to the victims.
The 17-year-old teenager was also charged for possession of a Stanley knife - his third knife offence since 2019.
He was also sentenced for motoring offences, assault by beating and robbing a taxi driver.
Defending, Lee Christmas said his defendant used knives to help him steal, but not to hurt or threaten the public.
He was given a 15-month rehabilitation order with an eight week curfew.
He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £240 in compensation.
The 15-year-old was also charged with going equipped for theft and taking a motor vehicle without consent.
Defending, Ms Kate Green, told the court that the boy has learning difficulties and despite making some ‘bad choices,’ takes responsibility for his actions.
He was given a nine-month youth rehabilitation order to include an eight-week curfew from 7pm to 7am each day.
His father was ordered to pay £592 in compensation.
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