A SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD boy who was armed with a machete in Leigh has been sent to a youth offender panel.

The teenager, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, appeared at Wigan and Leigh Youth Court.

The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a bladed article.

The boy had a sharply-pointed machete in his possession in a public place in Leigh on Friday, July 10 this year.

The teenager was referred to the youth offender panel for eight months.

He must also pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a £22 surcharge to victim services, making a total of £107.

The court ordered for the machete to be forfeited and destroyed.

The boy's guilty plea was taken into consideration upon sentencing.