

A 12-year-old boy who used a knife to threaten another youth earlier this month has received an unusual sentence.

The boy, who can't be identified under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty this Wednesday in Lethbridge youth court, Canada, to single counts of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon.

When it was time for a sentence, Judge Derek Redman ordered the boy to practice basketball. Yeah, basketball.



Judge Redman questioned the underprivileged boy about his life and what does he want to become, and was also told that the boy wants to play basketball, even though he doesn't play in a team and doesn't even own a basketball.

Redman noted the boy did not have a criminal record and had already spent seven days in custody, so he placed him on probation for 12 months and ordered him to practice dribbling and shooting a basketball for at least five hours a week.



When the boy said he doesn't have a basketball, Redman said that it would be taken care of and instructed the court sheriff to get a basketball for him before he was released.

Court was told that last week the boy pulled out a knife and asked money from another 12-year-old boy who was walking home from school.

The accused, who said he found the knife, chased the other boy but ran away after his intended victim asked for help from a nearby resident.