Teenage Boy from Hythe Sentenced to Six-Month Detention for Series of Offences
A 14 year old boy from Hythe has been sentenced to a six-month Detention and Training Order (DTO) after pleading guilty to a string of offences, including theft, assault, and multiple breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
The sentence was handed down at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 29 September. Due to his age, the boy cannot be named for legal reasons.
The charges relate to three separate incidents spanning from October 2024 to September 2025, including one in Brockenhurst and two in Hythe. The boy admitted to six offences in total.
Timeline of Offending
• On 21 October 2024, the teenager stole a chainsaw from a vehicle on Frost Lane in Hythe.
• On 4 July 2025, he breached his CBO by entering an excluded area – St John’s Street Car Park.
• On 8 September 2025, he again breached the CBO by entering the Co-op store on Brookley Road, where he also committed shoplifting and assaulted a staff member.
• Most recently, on 21 September 2025, he assaulted a police officer, striking the constable with a trainer. The officer was not injured.
The Detention and Training Order will see the boy spend half of the sentence in custody and the remainder under supervision in the community, as part of a structured rehabilitation programme.
Police Response
Speaking after the sentencing, Sergeant Glenn Wilshere of the Waterside Neighbourhood Policing Team condemned the teenager’s repeated criminal behaviour.
“This boy has continually targeted shops across the district,” said Sgt Wilshere. “He has been responsible for shoplifting and other offences, as well as acting in an anti-social and intimidating manner.
“We will not tolerate this type of behaviour in our community. Hopefully, this result once again demonstrates our determination to do all we can to help protect our businesses and communities.
“Business crime is not a victimless crime. Repeat offences in particular can create an environment of fear for many retail workers, and this is simply not okay.
Directly addressing the age of the defendant in this case, Sergeant Wilshere said, “In the majority of cases, when dealing with young offenders, the most suitable option is to work closely with youth offending teams and local diversionary services, to divert youngsters away from crime, and set them on the right path, so they can make a positive contribution to society.
“We don’t want to unnecessarily criminalise children, so will always seek the most proportionate route to dealing with young people whose behaviour has crossed the line into criminality.
“As a Neighbourhood Policing Team, our work to tackle youth-related anti-social behaviour and criminality has a huge impact on reducing young offending.”
Regarding this particular case, Sergeant Wilshere, said: “There’s a small minority, however, whose offending leaves us with no option but to seek prosecution.
“In this instance, it was only right that the impact of this boy’s actions was reflected through the charges that were brought to court and the sentence that has been handed down.
“Having a criminal record at such a young age can have a detrimental impact upon a person’s future, so I really hope that this can be a lesson to other young people that actions have very real consequences, not only to victims, but also to you as the offender.
“I hope this outcome at court will help to protect the community as a whole going forward, as well as divert this boy away from any further criminality.”
Understanding DTOs
A Detention and Training Order is a custodial sentence available for young people aged 12 to 17. For children aged 12 to 14, it can only be imposed if they are deemed persistent offenders. DTOs range in length from four to 24 months, and combine time in custody with training and supervision designed to reduce reoffending.
Police have urged local businesses and residents to continue reporting incidents of anti-social or criminal behaviour, so that appropriate action can be taken.