A young man who has made significant strides to turn his life around after brandishing a knife and frightening three teenagers near Penticton Secondary School during a drug-fuelled meltdown on Halloween last year will avoid a criminal record -- provided he stays out of trouble for the next 18 months.

Tyrell Chesny Kruger, 22, pleaded guilty Wednesday at the Penticton courthouse to one count of assault and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon.

The court heard that around noon on Oct. 31, 2024, Kruger was under the influence of drugs outside a popular Main Street pizza shop frequented by Pen-Hi students.

He began dancing alone on the sidewalk when he noticed three teenage boys laughing at him.

Kruger then entered the restaurant and brandished a knife, which greatly alarmed the b

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