Teen offender warned he faces prospect of jail

Al Jay Tennant, 19, pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court to charges of assault, threatening behaviour and receiving stolen property valued at more than $7000.

Concerned about a Masterton teenager's "alarming rate" of convictions, a judge has warned him jail may be the next thing he experiences.

Al Jay Tennant, 19, pleaded guilty to charges of assault, threatening behaviour and receiving stolen property valued at more than $7000 when he appeared before Judge Tony Walsh in the Masterton District Court yesterday. He had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful damage.

Defending, Frank Minehan told the court he was concerned about his client's offending.

"He has been associating with people that are not helpful in terms of his involvement in crime," he said.

As his lawyer spoke to the court, Tennant leaned with his arms crossed on the glass at the front of the dock.

The court heard that he verbally abused and assaulted a 61-year-old woman on August 2.

The police summary stated Tennant arrived at the Makoura Rd home of the victim and she was angry because he had smashed a window in her garden shed. Tennant grabbed the woman's clothing and struck her three times on the arm, and threatened to slash the tyres of her car.

The court heard that between January 14 and 16, Tennant stored boxes for a friend in a shed. They had radio transmitters inside and were from a burglary where nearly $14,000 worth of property was stolen. Police discovered the stolen items while at the house dealing with the assault complaint.

In explanation, Tennant told police he knew the items were stolen but did not bother asking where they came from.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson told the court some of the stolen items were returned to the victim but they were still out of pocket by about $7000. He asked the court to consider $200 reparation.

Mr Minehan told the court Tennant could pay weekly instalments for reparation and he requested a community detention sentence. Judge Walsh said he was extremely concerned about where Tennant was heading with his offending.

"I have concerns. He is running up convictions at an alarming rate.

"My concern is that Mr Tennant is getting into hot water."

Tennant was remanded on bail for a pre-sentence report, with a warning from the judge.

"All sentencing options are open at this time," he said.

Tennant will be sentenced on November 7.