CATTLE prods are being used by unscrupulous thugs in Pinehurst, a court heard.

The shock revelation is the latest to come out of the ongoing problems with youth violence and drug dealing on the streets.

Wiltshire Police said it was "targeting the criminal minority that attempt to give the area a bad name". The force said it was not aware of cattle prods having been used by rival gangs.

The cattle prod claim came as Swindon Youth Court considered the case of a 17-year-old who in November pulled a machete on an older man he suspected of vandalising his family’s property.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was said to have turned down efforts by older dealers to get him to run drugs.

Julie Coleman, Youth Offending Team manager, said of violence in Pinehurst: “It’s a major problem. I’m hearing things like cattle prods are being used on people.” There was no suggestion a cattle prod had been used in the teenager’s case.

She added: "There’s a lot going on in Pinehurst at the moment in respect of gangs, violence and county lines.

“This boy has turned people away. He’s had so many people ask him: ‘run drugs for us’. He’s turned them down. He thinks of his family.”

JPs heard the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and two others went to the home of a man they suspected of damaging his family's property. The lad pulled a machete from his waistband and shouted threats.

Prosecutor Vyvyan Thatcher said the youths had run away when the victim threw a brick at them. Mark Glendenning, defending, went further and alleged the man had grabbed a sledgehammer and his wife had had to push him inside the house.

Asked why he had pulled out the machete, he said: “I just wanted to threaten him, because he threatened my family and made them cry. It made me angry and I wanted to threaten him.”

The 17-year-old, who pleaded guilty to threatening another with a knife in such a way there was an immediate risk of harm, was sentenced to a 12 month youth referral order with supervision and must complete a three day weapons awareness course.

'Criminal minority' to blame for problems

Police have spent the last year trying to get a handle on gang violence in Pinehurst.

Reacting to the latest sentence, Insp Andy Bridge said: "At the time of this incident my officers attended the address of concern in Pinehurst and dealt with the situation swiftly. Subsequently, following our enquiries, we arrested a 17-year-old boy from the local area who has now been convicted.

“Further to this incident, we have been continuing our intensive activity in the community targeting the criminal minority who attempt to give the area a bad name and affect the lives of the majority of decent people living in this community.

“Our on-going work with our partners has resulted in a number of arrests and the seizure of drugs, weapons and stolen items. We are also working with the same partners to promote what is a good area to live in; the police have undertaken a number of projects within the community like our early intervention work with young people, including recently setting up the Mini Police Scheme at Swindon Academy.

“I welcome this court result as this sends the message to the people of Pinehurst and Swindon in general that we will always investigate reports of anti-social behaviour and violence and pursue the most appropriate action to secure a conviction.”

Last October, Sgt Richard Tottle said following one machete attack: “This isn’t mafia-level gang-on-gang warfare, but there seems to be some issue between two separate groups of youths.”