DAVID Alexander Nicol, 18, of Accrington Bail Hostel, was put on probation for two years by Blackburn magistrates after pleading guilty to attempted burglary, theft of a mobile phone, handling a stolen Playstation, theft of a magazine and racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

Some of the offences went back to 2000 and Ian Holland, defending, said they had taken so long to come to a conclusion because Nicol had gone to live in Scotland.

He said that had been the pattern of his life, spending some time in Scotland with his mother and some in Darwen with his father.

"For the past two months he has been residing at the bail hostel in Accrington and it has been a blessing in disguise," said Mr Holland.

"This is the first time he has had a settled homelife, albeit in a hostel, and the indications are that he is doing well."