A WREXHAM teenager chased a group of terrified boys around a busy shop while wielding an eight-inch kitchen knife, a court heard.

The youth, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday having admitted possession of a blade, affray and wounding.

Jemma Gordon, prosecuting, told the court that on the day of the offences, in June, a group of male youths were at Gwersyllt train station when the defendant got off a train.

He approached the boys and asked one of them for a chat, before producing the blade.

The victim ran, as did the rest of the group, with the defendant giving chase and screaming "I'm on ketamine and I don't care."

Following the pursuit, the boys ran into Home Bargains, believing they would be safe.

But the defendant entered the shop and chased them up and down the aisles for around five minutes, continuing to brandish the knife.

The defendant caught up with one of the boys at the entrance of the store and lunged at him with the blade - causing a cut.

When police arrived, the defendant was arrested and an eight inch kitchen knife was recovered.

Ms Gordon said witnesses spoke of their shock and fear at seeing the incident unfold.

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The terrifying incident happened while he was on bail in relation to an earlier offence of criminal damage, for which he was also sentenced at Thursday's hearing.

Euros Jones, defending, told the court his client wished to apologise to everyone involved in the incident, including the victim, staff at the store and members of the public who saw the incident.

"He saw the CCTV with me for the first time this morning and he can't believe those were his actions on the day," he said.

Mr Jones said his client had become acquainted with people who were involved in drugs and his life had "since spiralled out of control."

He continued: "It's a clear pattern of the offending getting more serious and more often.

"He fully appreciates the only question today is the length of the sentence imposed and accepts he would not be able to be rehabilitated in the community."

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "It's almost incredible to view that CCTV and see people in a store, scattering because they were terrified and could not believe what they were seeing.

"You were running up and down the aisles after this young man, who was clearly terrified."

The Judge imposed a two year detention and training order, as well as a three year restraining order to protect the victim.