Conditional Discharge for Possession of Bladed Article

Case study summary

Our client, a 17-year-old autistic child, received a conditional discharge after we persuaded the court to refer his case to the Youth Offenders Team. He was provided with the support he needed, as opposed to punishment from the Criminal Courts.

Case study

Our client was a 17-year-old with autism. He and his mother had an argument and the police were called. When officers arrived, the client's mother told them that our client had turned violent towards her and, although she did not want to press charges against her son, he was searched and found to be in possession of a knife which was 2.5 inches long.

Our client had no previous convictions and, as a result of his autism, he did not understand the consequences of carrying a bladed article. However, the evidence against him was strong and the elements of the case were made out.

We persuaded the court to refer this case to the Youth Offenders Team who could provide our client with support rather than punishing him. Our client agreed to cooperate with the Youth Offenders Team and received a conditional discharge. He and his mother are now receiving some much-needed support and they are able to move on with their lives.