A 16-YEAR-OLD apologised to a crown court judge for threatening two youngsters with a knife in an attempted robbery.

The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to attempting to rob a 15-year-old boy of his mobile phone and assaulting another youth aged 17 with intent to rob him of his bike.

The attacks took place on August 14, when the youngster confronted his victims in a sports centre car park in Princes Risborough.

Prosecutor Tim Ashmole said both victims claimed the defendant threatened them with a knife, but when he was arrested, the defendant claimed he had no weapon.

Speaking in court, the youth said: "I would like to apologise for wasting the court's time and to the victims.

"I have done a few things which have really been out of order and I am trying my best to put everything right."

The accused had previous convictions for violence, but his lawyer, Kate Mallison, said in mitigation at Aylesbury Crown Court last Thursday, that the defendant's offending was over a short period earlier this year.

She said he had pulled himself together after a youth court imposed a supervision order following the current offences.

She added: "He realises the upset he had caused and has turned the corner."

Judge Christopher Tyrer spared the boy immediate custody and imposed a 100 hour community punishment order.

The defendant was also ordered to pay £40 compensation to one of his victims, whose glasses he broke.

He was also made the subject of a three month electronic curfew order .

The judge told him: "This is your last chance."