A TEENAGER has admitted robbing another youth of a handful of chips at gunpoint, to amuse his friends.

During the incident, outside a Chinese takeaway restaurant in a village near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, an airgun was fired, but no one was hit.

The accused youth, then aged 14, previously denied a charge of robbery arising from the incident, on the evening of September 13 last year.

But, Durham Crown Court was told yesterday that he now accepted grabbing some of the victim’s chips, although he denied firing the gun in his direction as he left the scene.

The victim had just left the takeaway and was eating his chips when the 14-year-old approached from among a group of friends.

Carrying an airgun, the defendant threatened the other youth, demanding some of the chips. He leaned across and took some, before returning to the group.

As the victim made off, the airgun was fired in his direction.

Although he was not hit, the 17-year-old was said to have been shaken by the ordeal.

Paul Currer, representing the defendant, now aged 15, asked if the robbery charge could be put to his client, again, at the outset of yesterday’s hearing.

Following the guilty plea, Mr Currer told the court: “He admits threatening the victim, to get some of his food, but he didn’t intend to hurt him.

“He did it as a joke, for the benefit of people he was with, and, afterwards, someone else discharged the airgun.”

Mr Currer said the case was sent to the crown court by North Durham Youth Court panel, as it was considered, “a grave crime”.

“But, in my view, as it is no longer to be contested, it’s desirable to be sentenced by the juvenile panel. The justices’ powers are adequate to deal with this matter.”

Judge John Evans agreed and sent the case back to the youth court for sentence.

The judge told him: “The fact I’m adjourning in this way must not be taken as any indication as to the way you will be sentenced.

“It’s a serious case, but it’s a matter for the juvenile panel to decide, and they will have to consider custody.”

He bailed him to be sentenced at youth court in the week beginning July 27.