A boy caught with a loaded handgun in a shoebox under his bed has been given a three-and-a-half year detention sentence.
The weapon was found by police after Shevron Brown (16) was arrested in connection with a group street robbery of a teenager.
When officers searched his bedroom, they found the 19th century Dutch service revolver, with six rounds of ammunition.
Brown, of Nugent Street, Black Friars, Leicester, claimed he was looking after it for an unnamed older man.
The teenager admitted possessing the prohibited weapon and ammunition, without a firearms certificate, on October 26.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cannabis on his arrest.
Brown admitted jointly robbing a 19-year-old man in Chesterfield Road, off East Park Road, four days earlier.
Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said the victim was walking along the road when he saw five males.
Mr Murphy said: "Brown went in front of him and punched him four or five times to his head, making him feel dizzy.
"The others then grabbed him and he went to the ground.
"They all began putting their hands in his pockets and an iPhone was taken. The victim suffered bumps and swelling behind his left ear and soreness to the side of his face."
The victim knew the defendant's name and picked him out in an identification procedure.
Mr Murphy said Acting Inspector Benjamin Gillard has since highlighted in a report – referred to in court – that street robberies were becoming prevalent in the area – including Highfields, Spinney Hill and north Evington.
Mr Murphy said: "Groups of young men have been attacking lone males on the streets at night."
The gun, a Knil Mod 91 Centre Fire smooth-bore revolver "capable of firing", played no part in the street robbery committed by Brown.
Mr Murphy said: "Had it been on a wall or in a display cabinet it might have been described as an antique, but that's not the case here as it was loaded."
Sally Bamford, mitigating, said: "He's a young person who's made a terrible mistake through lack of judgement.
"He was imposed upon by an older person whom he can't identify."
She said Brown was "gifted academically and sports-wise".
His teachers have been sending his course work to him in custody.
Ms Bamford said: "His parents are shocked by the situation he's in but are in court to support him.
Judge Michael Fowler said the minimum term for a juvenile possessing a prohibited firearm was three years, which he imposed, with six months consecutively for the robbery.
He said: "These offences are extremely serious."
The judge advised Brown: "If you use your gifts to the good rather than allowing yourself to be dragged into bad behaviour, you can come out of custody with a resolve to make your parents proud."
