A BARMOUTH teenager sent a video of himself stabbing a stolen football with a message saying the victim would be next, Dolgellau magistrates heard.

The 15-year-old pleaded guilty to the theft of the football valued at £20 from a 16-year-old boy, assaulting the boy, possessing an offensive weapon, namely a bicycle chain, and sending a threatening video message by phone over Facebook.

Rhian Jones, prosecuting at Dolgellau youth court, said there had been a fight between the two at a park in Barmouth and an adult managed to stop the fighting.

In a statement to the police the adult claimed that the defendant seemed to be the aggressor.

The crown prosecutor said the defendant stole the football from the victim and made a video of himself stabbing it. The threats that the victim would be next really frightened the victim and he took the video to the police, the court heard.

The defendant admitted the four charges from the outset.

Defence solicitor Carys Parry said her client was also assaulted by the victim.

“I was surprised that my client was charged with assault, because they were both fighting,” said the defence solicitor.

She said her client was on medication and had a tendency to lose his temper.

Three character references were presented to the court from officials at the defendant’s school, youth club and local leisure centre.

A three-month referral order was imposed together with £60 court costs, £20 victim surcharge and £20 compensation. The defendant’s mother was ordered to pay at the rate of £5 per week.

“I hope you deduct the money from your son’s pocket money,” said the chairman.