A TEARAWAY youth yesterday paid the price for snubbing a last chance to retain his liberty.

The 14-year-old was one of three teenagers who carried out a spate of robberies on other youths, taking mobile phones, cash and other possessions after threatening them at knifepoint, in Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street.

The incidents took place in May last year, when the youths, all aged 13 at the time, were supposedly on fishing trips to the park.

Two of them admitted three charges of robbery and one admitted four counts at Durham Crown Court. Each received a two-year ban from the park, as part of an anti-social behaviour order imposed by Judge Tony Lancaster, in January.

He also sentenced them to 18-months' supervision, to include six months' probation supervision and surveillance, plus three-months' electronically-tagged home curfew, from 7pm to 7am.

But one of the teenagers was back before Judge Lancaster yesterday when the court heard he has breached the order nine times since January.

He failed to attend appointments, violated his curfew and absconded from school.

Ruth Gray, prosecuting, said the boy, from Chester-le-Street, moved to live with his grandparents, but due to his presence at the house they were threatened with eviction if he returns.

The court heard that as well as the robberies, his previous convictions include criminal damage, burglary, theft and shoplifting over the past two years.

His barrister, Alexia Zimbler, said he had twice appeared before the judge for breaching the order and was given a final chance last month.

Miss Zimbler said his behaviour initially improved, but has since "disintegrated".

"He is devastated that you might have no option but to send him into custody," she added.

Judge Lancaster told him: "You have not complied with the order and I must regard you as a persistent offender.

"It seems to me that if you are not to get into further mischief, I have got to send you away, to deprive you of your liberty."

He imposed an eight-month detention and training order under which the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be detained for four months and then be subject to strict supervision for the following four months.