A TEENAGER has admitted robbing a service station and a host of other offences six days after being released on bail.

The 17-year-old boy from Braintree admitted four offences from August 8 and another three six days later. Appearing at Chelmsford Youth Court on Friday, he admitted two counts of possessing an offensive weapon – a knife in East Street, Coggeshall, and a hammer in Church Street, Coggeshall.

He also admitted the attempted robbery of cash from one woman in Coggeshall and a charge of robbing another woman of cigarettes in Colchester, all on August 8.

While on bail six days later on August 14, he was caught being in possession of a class B drug – two grams of cannabis – at The Foyer in Braintree.

He also admitted robbing the Gulf Petrol Station in Witham of 18 packets of cigarettes and possession of a knife, also at Gulf Service Station.

Kathleen Wilson, prosecuting, said: “Each of the offences are grave crimes. On each of these occasions the weapons were brandished at members of staff. He threatened [one victim] with the knife and brandished it at her to get what he wanted.

“It had a significant impact on her and she feels she needs her mum with her all the time.

“She’s 19 and was protected by another member of staff who came to her aid and bravely placed herself between them in order to protect her.”

“On each occasion he went in with a level of disguise. He was wearing a hoody with the hood up.”

Natasha Nair, defending, described the teenager as being of “good character”, despite being addicted to drugs, saying: “There is an underlying issue of drug addiction. In the last week or so I can see a massive change in him.”

The boy was remanded in custody until next month for sentencing.