Youth courts are celebrating their centenary this year.

One hundred years ago, magistrates were treating young offenders in the same way as adults, but in December 1908 legislation was passed to make way for the first youth court, which sat in April 1909.

Back in 1833, a nine-year-old boy, Nicholas White, was sentenced to death for theft of items worth two pence; the sentence was commuted to whipping and transportation. Today, if this was a first offence it would probably be dealt with by an out of court disposal.

Today there are a number of out of court disposals available before an offender is brought to court, including reprimands and final warnings. And on a first appearance with a guilty plea, the offender would receive a referral order for up to 12 months.

For very serious offences custody is still an option.

Other youth court disposals include fines, compensation, reparation orders, action plans, curfew orders, detention and training orders, parenting orders and parental bind overs.

At the end of November a number of these disposals will be replaced by a youth rehabilitation order and new sentencing guidelines will be introduced.

Magistrates who sit on the youth panel are specially trained to deal with youth cases. They undergo initial training before sitting on cases and then attend ongoing training as appropriate while on the panel.

Youth courts are more informal than adult courts and magistrates have the opportunity to talk to the young offenders.

Unlike adult courts, youth courts are not open to the general public.

Peter O’Neill Chairman Oxfordshire Youth Panel