A TEENAGE thug has been ordered to pay compensation after breaking into beach huts, carrying a knife and committing a robbery.

The 15-year-old boy from Hove, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted seven offences when he appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard how the boy had entered beach huts at Hove Lagoon with the intent to steal items inside while carrying a knife.

The next day he again went to Hove Lagoon with a knife and committed a robbery, forcing a man to hand over his wallet.

Then in August, he again had a knife in his possession at the Mile Oak Football Ground, where he attacked PC Quentin Holdey and caused £500 damage to the

officer’s mobile phone.

After admitting the charges, magistrates ordered the boy to pay £150 compensation to the victim of the robbery.

The boy must also pay £68 compensation to the owner of a shed at Hove Lagoon that he broke into.

He was also ordered to attend a youth offender panel for the next 12 months.

The panel challenges youngsters to address their criminal behaviour and to take responsibility for their actions. Members of the panel are from the Brighton and Hove Youth Offending Team, run by the city council, which works with children aged between ten and 17.