A TEENAGER snapped the blade of a knife in half “to make it sharper” prompting care home staff to lock themselves in an office. 

Details of the violent incident, at a property in north Cumbria, were outlined at Carlisle Youth Court. It took place at around 10-30pm on December 15 last year.

“(The teenager) was present there,” said prosecutor George Shelley. “He has taken hold of a knife from the kitchen area, snapped in half in order to make it sharper.

“Inside the living room he has threatened a member of care staff and lunged at them with the knife, without making contact. This was witnessed by two members of staff who then had to lock themselves in a staff office for safety.

“During the time they had been locked away, (the teen) has proceeded to damage picture frames inside the care home.”

Police attended the property and the 16-year-old — who can’t be identified because of his age — was arrested. When interviewed he made no comment to the questions asked of him.

Appearing remotely at the youth court over a video link, he admitted charges of affray and criminal damage to the value of £20.

The court heard he had one conviction for four offences, including offensive weapon possession, going equipped for theft and illegal drug possession.

His solicitor, Trystan Roberts, told District Judge John Temperley the guilty pleas had been entered at the earliest opportunity. “There is clearly some information that is needed about him,” said Mr Roberts.

Mr Temperley agreed, ruling that the case should be adjourned for the preparation of a background report.

He told the teen: “I don’t have enough information about you to make a decision today about that the sentence should be. I need to know a lot more about your background.

“I need to know what the youth offending service believe the options are for sentencing you.”

The teen is due to attend court to receive his punishment on January 27, and in the meantime was remanded into youth detention accommodation.

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