A TEENAGER promised a non-custodial sentence by magistrates and then later sent to detention, has won his freedom again.
The 17-year-old, given a three months detention and training order after punching another youth, was given 60 hours community punishment instead after a judge said the promise ought to be honoured.
Judge Raymond Bennett, sitting with a justice, said anybody who thumped somebody else in an unprovoked way ought to go to custody, But, he added, the youth had been led to believe he would be dealt with by way of community penalty by one bench and then sentenced by another..
The 17-year-old had appealed against the sentence of the Hyndburn youth court, where he had admitted a public order offence, at Burnley Crown Court.
The court was told police saw the appellant hit another male in the early hours in Accrington town centre.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article