A RECKLESS teenager who stabbed a man in the arm with a seven inch knife has avoided custody.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in Turner Road, Colchester, in August, and admitted charges of wounding and possession of a bladed article in public.

Charges of wounding with intent and attempted murder were dropped as the victim did not testify.

He is believed to have left the country on a flight out of Stansted Airport.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting, said: “The defendant, who was then 16 but now 17, injured a victim who was 35-years-old.

“The man had been in a difficult relationship with the defendant’s mother.

“It seems arrangements were made for the couple to meet on August 5 at a bench in Turner Road to exchange some belongings.

“There was a verbal altercation between the defendant and the victim.

“In the course of the altercation he stabbed the victim in the left arm.

“There was a further exchange of words.

“Fortuitously for the victim a passing ambulance which happened to have police officers inside was able to stop and gave emergency care.”

The knife, which had a seven inch blade and knuckleduster, was later found discarded in a shrub nearby.

Mr Rose added: “The defendant was arrested at the scene and it was later discovered there was a second wound on the victim’s buttocks.”

The teenager has been remanded in a youth offenders institute for six months since his arrest.

The prosecution accepted a defence of “excessive self-defence”.

Judge Rupert Overbury said he would show the defendant leniency as he was still a child and even younger when the offence took place.

“You were 16 at the time and your personal circumstances have been taken into account, particularly your fragile mental state and the fact you have show significant remorse,” he said.

“You have taken steps to deal with your problems and to make things better for yourself and you should be very proud of what you have achieved in the Young Offenders Institution.

“Your actions were reckless as opposed to deliberate.

“If you were an adult your actions would cross the custody threshold but as a young person your sentence is reduced.”

The 17-year-old was made subject of a Youth Rehabilitation Order for 18 months. The order includes intensive supervision and a monitored curfew.

He will also have to complete 91 days with of rehabilitation work.