A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has been ordered to carry out a six-month referral order after he admitted possessing a knife.

The teenager, who lived in Stanford-le-Hope, and who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Basildon Youth Court yesterday charged with assault on October 20 and having a knife on September 20.

He admitted both charges.

The court heard how officers were called to an address in Stanford-le-Hope after a woman raised the alarm that her foster son had made threats towards her with a ten-inch knife.

Barry Hargreaves, prosecuting, said: “At about 5pm, police were called to the victim’s home. She was the foster carer of the boy.

“It appeared that he had been pushing the boundaries and he had entered the address and made threats towards his carer with a ten-inch knife.

“Police attended and he was arrested.

“When he was arrested, the victim spoke about a previous incident in September when the teenager got out of the car and removed an eight-and-a-half inch knife from his pocket.

“She said that she was going to call the police and then he dropped the knife.”

The court heard that the teenager had been in care for years and was now living in a children’s home.

Alan Payne, chairman of the bench, warned the 13-year-old that he would be going to prison if it happened again.

The teenager was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.