A TEENAGER given a potentially life-long sentence after stealing eight slices of cake and robbing a baker of £60 had the punishment quashed today.

Andre Lennox, 19, of Hargrove Avenue, Burnley, was ordered to serve an indefinite term of Detention for Public Protection (DPP) after pleading guilty to robbery and theft at Burnley Crown Court in January this year.

Almost identical to a life term, the DPP meant Lennox could have no hope of release until he could persuade the Parole Board he posed no serious danger to the public.

Lennox was ordered to serve at least 13 months before he could even apply for parole and, after his release, he would have been "on licence" for a minimum of 10 years, subject to prison recall if he put a foot wrong.

However today his lawyers successfully argued the DPP was manifestly excessive and it was replaced with a conventional 26-month term.

Judge James Wadsworth QC, sitting with Lord Justice Toulson and Mr Justice Walker, at London's Court of Appeal, said although Lennox had committed a string of other serious offences, he had never been put behind bars before.

He added that Lennox had made progress in custody to rid himself of his drug habit.

The court heard that, on August 19, 2006, Lennox went to a bakery after a night out, and his friend bought three pasties. While he was being served, Lennox helped himself to eight slices of cake.

Around 15 minutes later he returned to the shop and picked up a rolling pin, threatening the 62-year-old owner with it.

Lennox took £60 in cash from the till, and then forced his victim to wipe clean the rolling pin so there would be no finger print evidence. Lennox also warned him not to call the police.