A teenager who sprayed a boy with a noxious substance following a rush hour argument at Barking station has been handed an eight month detention and training order.

The 17-year-old, who is from Barking and Dagenham but can’t be identified for legal reasons, admitted one count of possessing an offensive weapon and one count of assault by beating.

Barkingside Magistrates’ Court heard how he attacked the boy, a 17-year-old who he knew, at around 8am on Thursday, February 9.

He sprayed his victim with an alkaline liquid, which hit his jacket, then punched him in the head and continued trying to spray him.

Members of the public stepped in and the teenager fled the scene, but was arrested shortly afterwards.

In addition to the detention and training order, the teenager was also given a restraining order against his victim and ordered to pay a £30 surcharge during last week’s hearing.