A teenager has been sentenced to community service and probation after assaulting his mother.

Nathan Owen Briggs, of Mooragh Promenade, admitted two charges of common assault.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes ordered the 19-year-old to do 120 hours of unpaid work and put him on probation for two years.

The teenager was already subject to two other community service orders imposed in July 2018 and June 2019, which were revoked and replaced with the new combination order.

We previously reported that police were called to an address at Hope Street in St John’s on June 5.

Briggs was said to have taken his mother’s phone after a verbal altercation.

His mother said they had argued after Briggs has asked her for money for a deposit for a flat.

He was said to have grabbed his mother’s wrist and hit it against a wall.

Briggs was arrrested and when interviewed he denied the assaults but admitted taking the phone.

He claimed that his mother had been pushing him and that he had pushed her arm away.

Defence advocate Winston Taylor referred to a probation report which described Briggs as a ’vulnerable young man’ and said that there were mental health concerns.

Mr Taylor said that Briggs had posted a heartfelt apology on social media to his mother after the incident.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes warned Briggs: ’You are teetering on the very edge of custody and there will come a time when repeatedly telling the court you are vulnerable will not save you from custody.’

Briggs was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay at a rate of £10 per week deducted from benefits.