A worldwide hunt for a ten-year-old boy who failed to appear in youth court has traced him to the United States.

Police say the Banbury boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, flew out with his father after admitting robbing a youngster of his £12 watch at Banbury youth court.

Officers checked family contacts and traced the boy to a fixed address after he failed to turn up for a court hearing last Tuesday.

Insp Robin Gardner, head of Banbury police, said: "Our first objective was to make sure exactly where he was. Inquiries led us to a city in the United States and we satisfied ourselves he was there with his father."

Police are now considering what to do with the boy, who also admitted using threatening and abusive language during an incident on August 30.

"The next step is to work out what action should now be taken because of the outstanding business at Banbury youth court," said Insp Gardner.

"That decision will be taken on advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, social services and the court which issued the warrant. Clearly the age of the boy and his present situation will be taken into account."

He faces a string of other charges including possessing a pellet gun, attempting to rob a boy of cigarettes and two assaults. No plea has been taken on these charges.

Story date: Tuesday 02 March

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