Teen who attacked teacher is told he is a danger to the public (From Warrington Guardian)

Teen who attacked teacher is told he is a danger to the public

A TEENAGER from Nantwich - who attacked a woman in the street and tried to snatch her handbag - has been described as a danger to the community.

His victim - local teacher Hannah Perry - suffered nightmares and ongoing anxiety as a result of the January 16 attack in Love Lane, Nantwich.

The 30-year-old had also been left fearful of going anywhere alone and the episode had severely affected her confidence.

South Cheshire Youth Court heard she was shopping in Nantwich and noticed the boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - stumble out of an archway.

Prosecutor Beverley Dobson said Miss Perry was concerned, as she was alone and he appeared unsteady on his feet.

Suddenly he turned around and asked her if she knew someone called "Paul", with a surname she cannot recall.

He then lurched a few steps towards her, pulled back his right fist and hit her to the left side of her jaw.

The teenager followed up with a second blow while Miss Perry staggered back.

She became trapped between a terraced house and a parked car and saw the boy aim a kick at her, then try to wrench her bag from her grasp.

Meanwhile she was screaming for help and flailing her arms and legs. Eventually householder Campbell Robertson, on hearing her cries, came out to investigate.

The teenage attacker had walked away and was not arrested until later, after Miss Perry picked out his photo from police records.

Quizzed by police twice, the boy denied all knowledge of the attack.

The court heard the boy was the subject of an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) following a violent incident at the Coral Reef chip shop last year and had been ordered to stay 50 metres away from the premises.

Because of the Love Lane attack, he was also in breach of the ASBO, the court was told.

He admitted assaulting Miss Perry with intent to rob and was committed for sentence to Chester Crown Court.

For only the second time in South Cheshire, the youth court had been asked to consider commiting a juvenile offender because he was a "dangerous offender".

Asked why he had committed the offences, the teenager replied: "I am not dangerous - I am just stupid.

"I would never have done it if I wasn't drunk."

Youth court chairman Mr Griffiths said: "This was a violent and unprovoked attack which has left the victim traumatised.

"We have to protect the public from you as there is a risk of serious harm."

The boy will appear for sentence at Chester on a date to be fixed.