A vulnerable teenager who has been exploited by criminals since he was 10 was given a youth rehabilitation order to help him “escape their clutches”.
The 18-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court after being caught with a stun gun under his bed. Judge Eleri Rees said: “There is clear evidence that he was being coerced.”
The court heard police searched his home in Newport on the afternoon of March 14. Byron Broadstock, prosecuting, said: “[The officer] could hear footsteps upstairs – someone frantically moving around with doors and cupboards banging.”
He told the court the officer went upstairs and thought the defendant looked “startled” as he rushed around. Mr Broadstock said: “A stun gun was found under the defendant’s bed.” The court heard it was a re-chargeable stun gun with an activation trigger on the side.
He was arrested and told the police he bought the firearm from someone for £30 because he was concerned that person was using it to hurt a puppy.
The teenager was originally arrested on suspicion of other offences and the prosecution offered no evidence on those charges. Prosecutors said he had five previous convictions and pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm.
Ben Waters, defending, said the battery was flat when the stun gun was found and no charger was located during the search. He told the court there was no evidence the defendant ever used it or that it ever left the house.
In her sentencing remarks Judge Rees said the defendant had been exploited since he was 10. She said he was vulnerable, adding: “Others have been able to take advantage of that to engage him in criminal activity on their behalf.”
The judge made a year-long youth rehabilitation order requiring him to comply with a 12-week curfew. She said: “The order is made to assist this young man.”
The court heard the authorities are trying to relocate him in the hope he can “escape from the clutches” of those exploiting him.
