A 15-YEAR-OLD Selby youth who turned into a walking crimewave has been sentenced to two years in a young offenders' institution.

Magistrates said the teenager, who committed a string of robberies and thefts over a period of five weeks, had to be kept in custody to "protect the public."

The schoolboy, who committed most of the offences while he was 14, admitted six thefts, two robberies, and criminal damage between May 5 and June 13 this year. Angela Smith, prosecuting at Selby Youth Court, said that on the evening of May 24, the boy was one of a group of people who approached a male victim, and told him they wanted his mountain bike. The defendant then produced a knife from his pocket.

Mrs Smith said the victim was clearly frightened and the bike, worth £100, was then taken from him.

She said that on the previous evening, the defendant punched another male victim in the face, before stealing a Nokia 3210 mobile phone from his pocket.

On another occasion, the teenager asked a 15-year-old male victim, who was walking on the Knavesmire, in York, if he could see his jewellery.

He then swore at his victim and threatened to slash his face and smash his jaw.

The boy also pleaded guilty to criminal damage after kicking over a bottle of cola at a York shop.

Other offences include stealing items, including cash, cigarettes and alcohol from individuals, Sainsbury's, and a Co-op shop.

Dennis Lofthouse, mitigating, said that the youth had already spent some time in custody and that he would apologise to the court.

He said: "I would ask you to give the defendant credit for his guilty pleas and to keep any sentence to the minimum."

Presiding magistrate Sheila Bruce said the youngster had a poor record, including convictions for violence.

She said: "The public must be protected from people who carry out robberies on innocent members of the public."

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, July 15, 2003