The Chavfather: Self-styled junior mafia boss who led rampaging gang of 50 walks free... and can't even be named

The 17-year-old, who styles himself a junior mafia boss, terrorised a young family in the street and threatened to beat up a policeman before he was finally dragged away.

His night of shame was detailed in court - but he continues to enjoy anonymity as he is under 18 and magistrates say his welfare might be at risk if his name is revealed.

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And a magistrate told the youth he would not be facing custody when he is sentenced at a later date.

The mayhem began at around 7pm on April 4 when the gang gathered in the centre of Eastbourne, East Sussex, knocking off car wing mirrors, pulling up trees and yelling abuse at anyone who crossed their path.

By 9pm they had assembled outside a McDonald's restaurant and began throwing drink cans and burger containers at passers-by.

At one stage, the 17-year-old spotted a family of four, including two children aged under ten, and tried to challenge the father to a fight, Eastbourne youth court was told.

Prosecutor Claire Prodger said police officers were called to McDonald's.

"They could see the situation was getting out of hand and radioed for back-up," she said.

"At this point, the defendant turned on one of the officers and shouted, "Come on then, you fat ****".

"The officer was backed into a corner by a large group of drunk and highly volatile teenagers, while the defendant raised his fist and continued to shout, "You fat b******, I'll ****ing whack you.

"The officer feared for his safety and radioed for further back-up."

Police spent more than an hour trying to wrestle bottles off the yobs plus a further hour to bring in the ringleader.

After being dragged "kicking and screaming" into the police station, he gave his name as 'Mickey Mouse', telling police: "It's none of your ****ing business who I am."

In an interview, he admitted drinking seven cans of Stella Artois and three vodkas before leaving home, then continued to drink beer and spirits in the street.

At the time of the offence, the 17-year-old, who lives in Eastbourne, was already on bail for two charges of violence and had a previous conviction for affray.

He admitted making threats of violence and resisting a police officer on April 4 - offences that carry a maximum tariff of six months' custody-and one month respectively.

But magistrates decided to give him a second chance and put off his case for reports.

Magistrate Chris Blessington told him: "You are out of control. When you drink, you get aggressive, and that must stop now."

After the hearing a police source said: "It is absolutely ridiculous that this idiot cannot be named and shamed.

"He's a total nightmare and local residents should be well aware of who he is for their own protection."

While those under 18 are automatically-anonymous in the youth court, magistrates have the power to lift reporting restrictions in serious cases.

One friend of the 17-year-old said yesterday: "He reckons he's the boss of us lot and he loves it when he gets called the Chavfather.

"He reckons he came up with the name while he was watching Marlon Brando in The Godfather. It started off as a bit of a joke but seems to have stuck."