A 16-YEAR-OLD boy from Swindon has been given one last chance to stay on the straight and narrow after pleading guilty to an assault by beating which happened on May 11.

The teenager, who cannot be legally named because he is under 18, struck his victim above the eyebrow and also admitted to failing to comply with the requirements of a youth rehabilitation order.

He had the order implemented after committing dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and other offences, so district judge Lynne Matthews was reluctant to give him another chance.

She said: "Your response to the current order is a sorry tale. If I made another order, you wouldn't go to it, would you?"

The defendant said: "I have nothing to say about the assault but I know it was wrong... I think I would go to the next appointment."

Richard Williams, defending, said: "He has severe ADHD and a reluctance to be assessed by professionals. He enjoyed the six hours of making poppies but struggled with other areas of his order. This is a young man who desperately needs some kind of support, please give him another opportunity."

After speaking to the defendant, judge Matthews agreed to do so. The teen must pay £15 compensation to his victim.