A MAN “threatened to rape and kill” a 13-year-old boy before stealing a gold chain and mobile phone, a court heard.

William Atkins, of Buckingham Road, Colchester, appeared in court via video link from HMP Norwich for sentencing on Thursday afternoon, having admitted charges of burglary, affray, and grievous bodily harm.

Three members of Atkins family, including his mother, were in the public gallery at Ipswich Crown Court as Judge Richard Kelly sentenced the defendant to three years and ten months in prison.

The court heard how Atkins, 27, entered a summer house at 1.28am on June 28 in Goring Road where he threatened a 13-year-old boy and his friend before stealing a gold chain and mobile phone, the combined value of which was £880.

Summing up the case, Judge Kelly said the teenage victim had tried to gain the attention of his mum, texting her to say there was a leak in the summer house.

When she entered the summerhouse, Atkins put her in a headlock and covered her mouth with his hand, telling her to keep quiet, before he left the address with the items, the judge added.

Judge Kelly told Atkins: “You picked up his phone and held it in your hand. You made threats. You threatened to kill him. You threatened to rape him and threatened to stab him with a knife.

“That caused him to feel fearful for his life. You made numerous mentions of having a knife and having a gun.

“You appeared to conceal something inside your coat to make it look like you were able to reinforce the threats you were making.

“There was fear and distress caused by your behaviour,” Judge Kelly told Atkins.

“ It’s aggravated by the fact that there were two teenage children who were the victims. You threatened them in the way you did to kill them and to rape them.”

Over the video link, Atkins protested, saying “I never touched the girl”, while also denying threatening to rape and kill her son, but Judge Kelly waved away his concerns.

At Thursday’s hearing, Atkins was also sentenced for grievous bodily harm in relation to an incident in Crouch Street, Colchester, in November last year.

On Saturday, November 5, Atkins landed a single punch on Matthew Newcombe outside Baba’s pizza house.

Atkins had been ejected from the premises above the takeaway after becoming aggressive, and making his way onto the street at 3.30am, he was approached by Mr Newcombe who asked if the defendant was OK.

Atkins then landed a single punch on his victim, who was then taken to Colchester Hospital’s emergency department for treatment for a fractured eye socket and cheek bone.

Gareth Hughes, mitigating, said: “There had been a diagnosis of PTSD which might explain some of the defendant’s behaviour over the years.

“It is something he had been hoping to have and it’s brought him some solace.

“He has had periods in care. He has had various referrals to mental health services which don’t seem to have been followed through.”

Passing sentence, Judge Kelly also issued a restraining order of five years for Atkins not to have any contact with the boy’s mother, and will serve half of his three years and ten months in prison before being released on licence.