The boy, who cannot be identified, appeared via video link in Armidale Children’s Court on Thursday morning and was warned by Magistrate Michael Holmes to watch his mouth after he was heard swearing.

The teen admitted to stealing $900 from an 85-year-old woman who was getting into her car in Armidale, one hour after taking another 48-year-old woman’s handbag, keys and wallet in a carpark near Marsh and Dumaresq St, on April 22.

He also admitted to using corporal violence to rob a 28-year-old woman of her Samsung phone as she walked through the grounds of the University of New England on Meredith St, on the same night.

The 16-year-old pleaded guilty to breaking into a Niagara St house between April 7 and 10, and stealing goods in the company of others, as well as charges of possessing a stolen bluetooth speaker and damaging property. 

He has been in custody since he was arrested by Armidale detectives at an Edward St property on April 28.

Mr Holmes adjourned the case to get a Juvenile Justice background report ahead of sentencing.

“Can you cooperate with them?” he asked the teenager.

“Yes,” he replied, before walking out.

The teenager made no application for bail and it was refused.