TEENAGE robbers as young as 13 who raided a grocer's store were eventually caught -- after their dads handed them over to police.

Now three of the four-strong gang who raided the shop -- one armed with a knife -- are starting terms of detention.

A court heard how the fathers of two of the defendants, who are all from Accrington, took them to the police station when they found out what they had done.

The four, a 13 year old, two 15 year olds and a 17 year old, all admitted robbery. The 13 year old was detained for four months, the 17 year old for 10 months, one of the 15 year olds was sentenced to six months while the other was sent to an attendance centre for 24 hours and ordered to carry out a 12 week Action Plan.

Sentencing them at Burnley Crown Court, Judge Raymond Bennett said if they had been older they would have been facing jail terms of three years.

Charles Brown, prosecuting, said two adults were in the back room at the grocer's and tobacconist shop on Spring Hill Road, Accrington.

Four youths entered the shop, one carrying a large knife and wearing a balaclava. Another of the gang was armed with a baseball bat and another had a cigarette lighter in the shape of a pistol.

The knifeman threatened the two adults and two went behind the counter and helped themselves to cigarettes to the tune of £200.

One of the adults pressed the panic alarm and the four fled.

Two of the defendants went to the police station because of their fathers and all four later admitted taking part in the robbery.

The prosecutor said the four told police the enterprise had been planned the day before and the shop had been targeted because it did not have a CCTV camera.

Only one had worn a balaclava while the other three had had their faces concealed by hoods or hats.

John 0'Shea, for the 13 year old, said he thought the plan to raid the shop had been all talk. He was told to stand by the door and look menacing.

He received one packet of cigarettes and had been confronted by his father after he read about the offence in the local paper. His father was angry, shocked and upset.

Mark Stuart, defending the 17 year old, said his mother and grandmother were utterly surprised at his behaviour.

The teenager did odd jobs for elderly ladies and his family was appalled at what he had done.

Paul Hague, for one of the 15 year olds, said he had been terrified when he entered the shop.

His father had confronted him after rumours he was involved but there was nothing to suggest police would have identified him otherwise.

David Bentley, for the other 15 year old, said he was 14 at the time and urged the court to make an Action Plan Order.