A boy has been given a detention order after police stopped him driving dangerously without a license and carrying a knife.

The 17-year-old boy from Thornwood – who cannot be named due to his age – was stopped while driving in Tower Road, Epping, on Tuesday, April 6.

Officers suspected the vehicle may be on false plates, so they pulled over the driver.

The boy was found to be driving without a licence and insurance, and was also found in possession of a knife.

He was charged with two counts of dangerous driving, two counts of driving otherwise in accordance with a licence, two counts of driving without third party insurance, possession of an offensive weapon and failing to provide a specimen for analysis, in connection with offences committed on March 23 and 6 April.

He appeared at Chelmsford Youth Court on Friday, June 4 and pled guilty to the eight offences.

He was sentenced to a 12-month detention and training order, disqualified from driving for 24 months and required to take an extended test, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34.

A detention and training order is a sentence that can be given to young people aged 12 – 17 and means the individual will be sent into secure accommodation.