'Uncontainable' 12-year-old is sent to secure unit

Magistrates in Witham, Essex, ordered the youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, to be remanded in secure local authority accommodation until they had decided on a punishment for his latest crimes.

Prosecutor Simon Newell told the youth court that the boy – had his birthday yesterday – had an "appalling record".

He said the youngster committed his latest offences earlier this month when he assaulted two care workers – causing minor injuries – and drove off in an Audi TT car.

The boy drove on the wrong side of the road and mounted a pavement before being caught by police who chased him. Magistrates adjourned sentencing until March 16 and said reports on the youngster's background should be prepared.

They decided that the boy could not stay in the care home where he had been living after a representative from a local authority youth offending team raised concerns. "We don't feel we can contain (him) in the community," she told the court.

The boy, who admitted assault and aggravated vehicle-taking, sat with his mother and a care worker at the back of the court.

His record included crimes of violence.