A 15-YEAR-OLD Blackburn youth who admitted 27 charges of car theft in just two months told magistrates he did not think he would be returning to crime.

Blackburn magistrates heard glowing reports of his progress since he was remanded to an out of town hostel.

And Richard Timmis, of the Blackburn with Darwen Youth Offending Team, said the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had responded well to the trust placed in him.

The teenager had previously pleaded guilty to four specimen charges of taking a motor vehicle without consent and asked for a further 23 to be taken into consideration all committed between the end of July and mid-September.

He has now been made subject to a 12 month intensive surveillance and supervision order and a curfew order between 9 pm and 7am for the first three months.

The catalogue of offences included the removal of vehicles from outside homes in Park Lee Road, Moorgate Street, Bishopstone Court, Springfield Avenue, Idstone Close, Scarborough Road, Branch Road, Sandy lane, Manxman Road, Carnforth Close, Ridgeway Avenue, Silverdale Close, Thornton Close, East park Close, Holmbrook Close, Leyton Close, Ulverston Close, Pilmuir Road, Aster Close, Sycamore Close and School Lane, Guide.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said the youth was clearly a persistent offender. She said he was currently subject to an action plan order and was also in breach of a conditional discharge.

Clare Knight, defending, said that while in residential care, the youth had got involved in various activities and made constructive use of his spare time instead of going out committing offences.

"He wants to continue in this way when he returns to Blackburn," said Miss Knight. She revealed that at the time of the offences the boy,s parents had been having matrimonial problems and this had affected her client.

"Those problems have been resolved, he is welcome to go back and his parents will be supporting him," she added.

"His behaviour has been impeccable," said Mr Timmis. "I think he has shown that in a supportive and structured environment he is capable of behaving like any other member of society.

"We would now look to recreate that support within the community penalty that is proposed," he added.