A 17-year-old robber who punched a taxi driver, wielded a knife and stole an autistic boy's bike has been spared jail.
One witness to his crimes, a 12-year-old girl, pleaded for the boy to be locked up.
"I don't think a slap on the wrist or community service will make him realise what he's done," she told a court.
However the teenager narrowly avoided custody after a court heard he had a "significant learning difficulty" in the form of ADHD.
North Tyneside Youth Court heard the boy stole the autistic boy's bike, which he described as his "pride and joy", in Kingston Park.
The culprit was spotted carrying a knife during the robbery, and while it wasn't proved that he'd used it, one child witness claimed: "I was very scared.
"I saw that he had a knife and didn't know what he was going to do with it."
Wednesday's sentencing heard that robbery had scarred the children involved. One said they'd lost confidence, while another - a young girl - said: "My parents say that I have changed."
Yet while on bail, the youth struck again.
After taking a taxi home with his girlfriend, he became "agitated and aggressive" in a row over payment.
"He suddenly punched the taxi driver in the side of the face," said prosecutor Sue Baker.
That caused the taxi to swerve and crash into several cars, causing "extensive damage".
The boy's mum sobbed as her son claimed he "probably wouldn't survive" custody.
He was described by probation workers as "vulnerable" and with "complex needs" but who wanted help to improve his behaviour.
However, after District Judge Bernard Begley asked him what the schoolgirl witness thought should be done to him, he stated: "She says she wants me in prison.
"I can understand where she is coming from. Yes I was in the wrong, but I have problems with my ADHD."
But the District Judge said that was "not an excuse" for his criminal behaviour.
He said: "There are people who have these conditions but don't end up doing what you've done.
"I'm not going to forget these people who have suffered because of you, and badly because of you."
The youth who had pleaded not guilty to counts of robbery and possessing a knife was convicted following a trial.
He did plead guilty to the taxi fracas, which occurred on August 20 in North Shields, admitting assault by beating and three counts of criminal damage.
The judge warned the boy that had he been just months older and tried as an adult he could have faced five years behind bars.
Instead the youth, from North Tyneside, was sentenced to a six-month 12-hour curfew running from 8pm to 8am though the judge said over time the curfew will begin later eventually running from 10pm.
"Some may say it is a let off," added the judge.
"But let me tell you this - it is to be noted that any breaches of this order by you, should that happen, will come back to me."
He warned that would almost certainly mean custody, adding: "I can tell you now, it is not going to be for a short period of time either."
