A TEENAGER has been locked up for 30 months for his role in the theft of central heating boilers worth £50,000.

Kyle Ellis, 19, was recruited as a getaway driver in a “sophisticated” burglary on an engineering company at Springvale Mill in Haslingden, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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But he was caught with at least £11,000-worth of the haul in the back of a van after leading police on a 20-minute chase.

Boiler firm boss Paul Yates was not insured against the break-in, which saw nearly his entire stock disappear, and was left facing repaying a £40,000 loan.

He said: “The whole incident has greatly knocked my confidence.”

Sentencing Ellis to youth custody, Recorder Stephen Riordan QC said six intruders took the domestic heating boilers.

Ellis was responsible for removing the stolen boilers in a van and was making his second trip when he was pulled over, as part of a routine check, on Burnham Gate in Burnley.

This prompted a 20-minutes chase between Ellis and police, which saw the defendant reach speeds of 50mph in a 20mph zone and go through a red light on the wrong side of the road.

The court heard police managed to deflate one of the van’s tyres with a ‘stinger’ device but Ellis carried on driving for some time.

The court heard that the six other burglars had not yet been caught.

Ellis, of Melville Street, Burnley, who admitted burglary, dangerous driving, and having no insurance or licence, was also given a two-year driving ban.

Richard Taylor, defending, said the teenager got involved in the burglary at the invitation of more experienced criminals.