A 16-YEAR-OLD who broke into two garages, drove illegally and attacked an emergency worker during an overnight crime spree, appeared before Island magistrates today (Tuesday).

The youth, whose identity is protected, admitted burglaries at Ashey Road Garage in Ryde and Price's Garage, Pan, Newport, possessing an offensive weapon (an axe), possession of cannabis, the theft of prescription drugs and a backpack, driving without a licence and insurance, and assaulting a detention officer at Newport Police Station by beating.

All the incidents happened during the early hours of yesterday morning (Monday).

The youth, of Ryde, stole as much as £700 cash during the break-ins.

He initially denied the burglary at Price's, said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

At the police station, he threw a punch at Mr Oxford.

He also breached a nine-month conditional discharge for handling stolen goods — the items being stolen cars, the bench was told.

For the teenager, James Cameron said his client was struggling at home in having to support his continuously unwell, housebound mother.

Mr Cameron added the youth was using cannabis and the tranquiliser, diazepam, at the time of the offences and did not recall much of what he did.

"He moved to the Isle of Wight to keep out of trouble," said Mr Cameron.

"His situation is precarious, but being angry with the world is not helping him."

Magistrates bailed the teenager, with an electronically-tagged curfew to remain indoors from 7pm to 7am tomorrow (Wednesday), to reappear at the Isle of Wight Youth Court to be sentenced.