A 13-year-old boy has appeared in court after he was discovered with a “ninja-style” throwing star and craft knife at a Mitcham fair.

Police officers were called to the fair on Mitcham Common on April 7 after security guards warned teenagers had been seen carrying weapons.

They stopped a group of youths and arrested the 13-year-old, who admitted carrying the blades at Wimbledon Youth Court on April 12.

He was given a nine-month referral order, placing him on a programme that aims to stop offending behaviour, and ordered to pay court costs.