A TEENAGER caught up in violence that left a York resident fighting for his life was told by a police officer that he was involved in "murder", a court heard.

York Youth Court was told that the 17-year-old was "extremely scared" when confronted by the officer after his arrest in the wake of a string of incidents in Beckfield Lane, Acomb.

At that time, the life of resident Chris Gregory, 56, was hanging in the balance following a heart attack he suffered after being punched in the face by another youth, who has since been convicted.

Magistrates heard that the 17-year-old was not involved in that assault, but that he was part of a group involved in "mindless criminal damage" in Poppleton and Acomb.

He was yesterday ordered to complete an 80-hour community punishment order and pay £50 compensation, after he admitted smashing a window, receiving a stolen crate of beer, and lying to the police.

Jane Cook, prosecuting, said the teenager was seen throwing a stone through the window of a house in Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton, on December 27.

The group moved on to Beckfield Lane, where a box of 24 bottles of Stella Artois was stolen from a garage. She said the 17-year-old did not steal it, but took possession of it.

David Hurlston, defending, said his client had found being arrested traumatic, especially after an officer said "you are in here for murder".

He said: "He is a young man and was extremely scared at being told that." He said he picked up the beer "on the spur of the moment" and he threw the stone at other children nearby, not the window.

He added that the youth lied to the police because his mother had told him not to mix with some of the youths and he did not want her to know.

Mr Gregory is now waiting for a triple bypass operation.

Several other youths involved in the Beckfield Lane incidents are still to be sentenced.

Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, June 09, 2004