THE 15-year-old youth nicknamed the "pied piper" because of his bad influence on other youngsters could face custody for breaching an anti-social behaviour order within 24 hours of it being imposed.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Lee Andrew Taylor was seen on the Ellenshaw estate the day after the court had made the order which included an exclusion zone around the estate where he was the "leader of the gang".

But the teenager's solicitor Ian Huggan said he intended to lodge an appeal against the order and to apply for it to be suspended pending that appeal.

He said: "He accepts that he was foolish in going onto the estate to see his girlfriend.

"Because of that he is in breach of the order but he is guilty of absolutely nothing else."

Taylor, of Hodgson Street, Darwen, admitted breaching the order.

The chairman said the magistrates required pre-sentence reports and warned Taylor that all options, including custody, would be considered when the matter is finalised on March 5.

Christiana Buchanan, prosecuting, said that the day after the order was made Taylor had approached the home of his 14-year-old girlfriend on the Ellenshaw estate.

The girl's father had read about the order in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and had been surprised when Taylor knocked at his door so soon afterwards.

"He feels very strongly that the order was breached so quickly after it was made to protect him and his family among others," said Mrs Buchanan.

Mr Huggan said Taylor felt he owed his girlfriend an explanation as to what had happened and why he would not be able to see her in the future.

"He thought it only right to tell her himself but accepts that he was foolish," said Mr Huggan.