TEEN WHO TOLD POLICE “YOU COME IN AND YOU DIE” DURING STANDOFF HANDED YOUTH REFERRAL ORDER

A 16-year-old boy who threatened to kill a Police officer during an armed standoff in East Cowes last year has been made subject to a 6-month youth referral order. It was on 28th August 2023 that Armed Police were called to York Avenue when a young male barricaded himself inside a building and began making threats, prompting concerns for his welfare. The area was locked down as negotiations took place. After some 4 hours, Police convinced a male inside the property to throw a number of items out of an upstairs window. Riot gear-clad officers then stormed the building and dragged their suspect out onto the street. During the incident the teen made threats towards PC Emery stating “don’t enter I’ve got a gun and lots of ammo. You come in and you die!”. He also discharged an air rifle with the ‘missile’ being fired beyond the premises. The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before the Isle of Wight Youth Court last Wednesday charged with making threats to kill, firing an air weapon beyond premises and possession of an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty to all charges. Magistrates heard how the teen had a number of weapons inside the property including an air rifle, a crossbow and arrows, a large bow, a BB handgun, a cap gun, a toy gun, an airsoft gun and a knuckle duster – all of which have been taken away by the courts. Despite the incident’s significance and the cost to the public purse, Magistrates handed the 16-year-old a 6-month referral order to the Isle of Wight Youth Offending team. The boy’s parents are to pay a £26 surcharge.