A KNIFE-WIELDING teenager threatened to kill a security man checking on his tagging device, a court heard.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted charges of threatening violence and making threats to kill, at Sedgefield Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He also admitted breaching a supervision order, a curfew and an attendance centre order.

The court heard that two Securicor officers called at the youth's home, near Crook, on February 2 because the strap on his tag had been tampered with.

Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said the youth became abusive. "He then entered the kitchen, picked up a knife and made more threats towards the staff," she said.

"The two members of Securicor were very frightened."

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case until February 21.

The youth was released on conditional bail