A PEMBROKE Dock teenager missed appointments with a youth offender panel, imposed following an assault, because he preferred playing football, a court heard.

Appearing before Haverfordwest magistrates’ youth court on Friday, April 13, the teen, who can’t be named for legal reasons, admitted failing to attend youth offender panel appointments on five occasions.

The youth was referred following a charge of assault by beating.

The court heard the youth had engaged with certain aspects of the order, but concerns were raised about the missed appointments and his lack of empathy with the victim.

Concerns were also raised bout anger management issues.

It was proposed the order be extended for a further three months.

The teenager told the court the reason for missing his most recent appointment: “I was playing football.”

He was told: “this isn’t what we want to hear; what we intend doing is putting you on a further three month order.

“If you chose to play football, or you are in a bad mood, and don’t want to turn up this will go on and on. Everybody is rooting for you and wanting you to do well; you are the one who is the stumbling block at the moment.”

The youth’s order was extended for a further three months.