A young thug convicted of attacking an air ambulance pilot has been asked to write a letter to say sorry.

The youth pleaded guilty to assaulting Steve Wood after he landed on the Vine, Sevenoaks to help a scalded baby on May 23.

He also pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour when he appeared at Sevenoaks Youth Court on Tuesday.

The Chronicle has been banned from naming the 17-year-old from Sevenoaks, despite asking for reporting restrictions to be lifted.

Chairman of the bench Barrie Martin claimed it was not in the public interest despite the youth having previous convictions for common assault.

Had he been a few months older he would have been tried at an adult court and named.

James Abnett, of Botsom Lane, West Kingsdown, appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court earlier in the day in connection with the same incident.

He pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, but denied a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards Mr Wood.

He is due to appear in front of magistrates again on August 9.

At the youth's trial, prosecutor Vikki Else told the bench after the helicopter landed at 4.45pm Abnett and the youth ran up to it and started swearing at Mr Wood.

Abnett allegedly tried to get into the cockpit while the youth took pictures on his mobile phone. Abnett later swung from the tail fin.

Miss Else said the youth had threatened to kill Mr Wood, saying: "I'm going to stick you, blood."

Miss Else added: "Both were taking turns to go up and swing punches at him."

"Mr Wood says he intentionally pushed (the youth) backwards with his open hands, at which point (the youth) grabbed his throat with both hands."

"Mr Wood pushed his hands away."

Representing the youth, Andrew Main told the court both had been drinking.

Referring to what happened next as a "minor assault," Mr Main said the youth had grabbed Mr Wood's clothing around the throat after he had been pushed in the chest.

There was no damage to the helicopter, which was not needed anyway as the baby was taken to hospital by road, he argued.

The youth was sentenced to four months at a young offenders' institution for the assault, with a further four months for the aggressive behaviour charge.

The sentences will run concurrently.

Asked what he would say to Mr Wood today, the youth said: "I apologise for my actions. I shouldn't have done it."

Mr Martin suggested he write a letter to his victim to say sorry.