A 14-year-old gang member with a record of knife crime has been detained for stabbing three strangers at one of Britain’s most exclusive yachting regattas.

Charlie Bush was trying to big himself up in the eyes of a group of youths when he carried out the random attacks at a funfair during the Dartmouth Royal Regatta last August.

The former Tottenham Hotspur triallist has two previous convictions for offences in which he used knives and was on bail at the time for using a fake pistol to terrify a passer-by who he terrorised in the street.

Bush was 14 at the time of the attacks but has since turned 15. He had moved to Devon from London, where he was involved in gang violence.

In 2016 he posted a Youtube video in which he brandished a knife and threatened to stab rival gang members while burning one of their bandanas.

The attacks at the regatta happened when he led a group of youths who knew him by his gang name of Charlie Little Man and approached three boys aged 15 to 17.

One suffered a serious wound to his forearm as he tried to fend off the stabbing attack. The others suffered a cut hand and a slashed cheek.

Bush, of Colley End Road, Paignton, admitted two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, one of wounding, and one of using an imitation firearm to cause fear of violence.

He was ordered to be held for four years and six months under a detention and training order with a one year extended licence by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court.

He said: "These offences were committed to maintain and enhance your fearsome reputation. That is a thread that runs through your offending history. Your street status is so important to you that you are willing to terrify or stab people.

"These stabbings were committed at a public festival in front of other people and friends of the victims.

"You were part of a large group, of which you appeared to be a leading figure. This terrifying attack has left a legacy of physical wounds and psychological effects.

"They are worried in their teenaged years about going out and about. Why should you create that fear and anxiety to other people just because you feel you want to be respected. I don’t think you understand what the word respect truly means.

"Taking account your active role in gang violence and your proclivity to arm yourself with knives, it is clear you pose a risk of causing serious harm."

Mr Nick Lewin, prosecuting, said at the time of the stabbings in Dartmouth, Bush was on bail for the gun offence in which he approached a man who was walking home with two women in Paignton.

He followed the victim, pulled out the air pistol, cocked it, and fired it. The victim had no idea it was not real until air, rather than a bullet came out.

Bush was with a large group of youths at Royal Avenue Gardens in Dartmouth on the last night of the regatta when he attacked each of the victims separately.

The first victim, aged 15, was stabbed on the palm as he tried to escape. He needed four stitches. The second, also aged 15, saw the first stabbing and was slashed across the face as he ran away.

The final attack was on a 17-year-old who suffered a 8 centimetre wound which cut through muscle and needed an operation to repair with internal and external stitches. He spent two days in hospital.

Mr Lewin said: "All three victims have made impact statements saying how they have been affected in their studies and social lives.

"All three are fearful of the repercussions because of Charlie’s reputation. All three have been left with physical and emotional scars. They were all very frightened."

Bush has a conviction for an attempted robbery involving a knife from 2015 when he was 12 and for possessing a large knife in 2016, when he was 13.

He was found with the weapon after posting a video on Youtube in which he burned a rival gang’s bandana. The video has been taken down.

Mr Kevin Hopper, defending, said Charlie’s problems arose from a family break up which led to him becoming involved in gang crime in London at a very young age.

He said Charlie is a talented footballer who played with your teams for Barnet and Luton Town and had a trial with Tottenham Hotspur.

He said: "He got involved with people from the wrong side of the tracks at a very, very young age. He felt abandoned and alone and got involved with much older people and in gang culture in London. His family moved to Devon for their own protection."

Dartmouth Royal Regatta is one of the best known events in the sailing calendar and attracts yachtsmen from all over the South Coast.

It has close links with the Britannia Royal Naval College and has been attended by several members of the Royal Family in the past.