A TEENAGER dubbed the Pied Piper of Darwen due to his influence on other youngsters has been given a chance to get his life back on track.

Lee Taylor, one of the first in Blackburn or Darwen to be made subject to an anti-social behaviour order, was given a non-custodial sentence by Blackburn magistrates with a warning that any breach would almost inevitably result in jail.

Taylor, 18, of Hacking Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assaulting Lynda Posteraro and using threatening behaviour. He was given 100 hours community punishment and a 12-month community rehabilitation order.

The court heard Mrs Posteraro was visiting a friend in Crewdson Street, Darwen, with her 14-year-old son Antonio, while his seven-year-old sister waited in the car outside. Taylor headbutted the car's window and then grabbed Mrs Posteraro as she carried a three-year-old child, causing the child to fall.

Ian Huggan, defending, said Taylor had been drinking and could not recall what happened.