17-year-old sentenced in youth court after police officers spot him waving machete around in Northampton home

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Wellingborough Youth Court on January 20, after an incident in Northampton on January 15.

Officers from Northamptonshire Police’s Youth Violence Intervention Unit (YVIU) spotted the boy waving the large machete.

The officers called the incident into the control room and armed response officers were deployed to the address shortly before 10.20pm. The boy was arrested.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said a total of six weapons were found during a search of the house – a Zombie knife, two combat style knives and three machetes.

At the court hearing, the teenager pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Sergeant Pete Heyward of YVIU said: “Sadly, we see far too often the devastating effects that knife crime can have within our communities, and we continue with our partners to educate young people on the consequences of carrying knives.

“However, this is a great example of how the quick-thinking actions of the patrolling officers has led to the seizure of a large quantity of weapons before they could be used and potentially cause serious harm to someone.”

The teenager was sentenced to a two-year youth referral order with 24-month supervision. He will have to abide by strict conditions, which include 90-day intensive supervision, a six-month residence requirement, the completion of 90 hours of unpaid work and a 12-week mentoring programme. He was also ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge.