Judge names teenage tearaway

Mark Russell admitted theft and burglary

A teenage tearaway who admitted a string of serious crimes across Derby has been named and shamed by a judge.

Mark Russell, 17, who pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary offences, would normally be allowed anonymity because of his age.

But Judge Brian Appleby QC, passing sentence at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday, said he was more concerned about the protection of the public.

He lifted orders banning the media from identifying Russell, of William Street, Derby, and sent him to a young offender's institution for three years.

Stick beating

Noel Philo, prosecuting, told how Russell began his crime-spree when he robbed a paperboy of his mobile phone on 24 January last year.

The 14-year-old victim was punched and hit with a stick before the phone was taken from him in Sutton Close, Derby.

Mr Philo said Russell and an accomplice then committed three robberies and an attempted robbery at Darley Park in Derby on 22 June.

Russell used threats and violence to take two mobile phones, CDs, computer games and jewellery from four victims, all aged 13 or 14, he said.

Pregnant woman

The teenager stole goods worth £690 during a burglary in Sherwin Street, Derby, on 31 July.

And he was said to have terrified a woman who was seven months pregnant during a second burglary, in Markeaton Street in the city, on 16 August.

Julia King, defending, said Russell, who asked for another robbery to be taken into account, now knew his offences were "appalling".

But she said his crimes were committed "in a haze of drink and drugs" and he had done much to address his problems while on remand.