Boy was arrested 282 times

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy was given a custodial sentence yesterday after being arrested 282 times in five years.

The boy has been arrested on average once a week since he was 10 years old. Now he is starting eight months' detention for stabbing a man in the head with a screwdriver. He admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

The boy, who is too young to be named, started offending when he was still in primary school. Since then, he has committed offences including stabbing a shopper in the neck with a penknife and attacking two police officers in a court foyer. He received a series of supervision orders.

Yesterday's hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told that his life was 'meaningless and directionless'.

His barrister, Jeremy Jenkins, said: 'He seems to be greatly influenced by the behaviour and presence of those older than him.'

As he was led out of court, the boy punched the air and shouted: 'Nice one]' Det Insp Graham Mouncher of South Wales Police said: 'This boy's amazing number of arrests show the extent of juvenile offending. It is a major problem which needs to be addressed.'