A 15-YEAR-OLD boy from Burnley has been made the subject of action and curfew orders after pleading guilty to what the court described as a "serious offence."

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was told by the chairman of the bench at Reedley Youth Court that it was his last chance and he could have very easily have been taken into youth custody.

He had pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal from a house when the occupant was upstairs. Christiana Buchanan, prosecuting, said the occupant had been woken at around 1.30am on May 16 by the sound of broken glass. She also heard her stairs creaking and male voices at the bottom of the stairs.

Mrs Buchanan said: "She was extremely fearful about what was happening."

The woman rang the police from her mobile phone and a short time later was told a youth had been arrested.

The back living room window had been smashed and a bright orange trainer, which the 15-year-old later admitted was his, was found near it.

The court heard how the teenager had been walking around the streets when he met another boy, who he said broke the window, and he followed him in to the house.

Mrs Buchanan told the court she was not aware whether the other boy had been arrested or dealt with in court. Nothing was stolen but the youth was ordered to pay £35 compensation to the owner of the house and £25 costs.

He was also told he was under a three-month curfew to stay inside his house between 9pm and 7am, and he would undertake programmes to address his personal responsibility and to identify suitable training and employment opportunities.