A TEENAGER stood in for her boyfriend and went out burgling to prevent the ex-convict from getting into trouble again..

Burnley Crown Court heard how part-time cleaner Joanne Denver, 19, fell in with a "bad lot" and started taking heroin. She went back home to her parents but then returned to her law-breaking boyfriend.

Denver, who had no previous convictions, wept in the dock after a judge told her she had to go to detention.

Judge Raymond Bennett heard how Denver's father had been with her constantly for four months to keep her away from drugs.

The judge said parents like him were in a very difficult position. He went on: "All he can do is try and offer advice and try to see that you get help and encourage you away.

"You went back home, then chose to go back to your associate and heroin."

The Judge added that Denver, who committed the house raid with three others, should have said "No" but did not.

Denver, then of Elm Street, Burnley, but bailed to Great Meadow, Astley Village, Chorley, was sent to a young offenders' institution for 12 months, after admitting burglary.

She had also been committed for sentence by Pennine magistrates after admitting theft and attempting to obtain property by deception.

Kendal Linley, prosecuting, said a neighbour saw people stripping bare the house in Nairne Street, Burnley.

Denver claimed she went along after the initial break-in and it was other people who ransacked the property.

She was bailed and while working as a cleaner at KwikSave took cigarettes.

Bailed again, she tried to get goods in a shop, using a stolen credit card.

Paul Hague, defending, said Denver came from a respectable family and was educated but fell in with a "bad lot".

Her boyfriend had a long criminal record, she lived with him and became addicted to heroin.

He said: "What the fascination was, one doesn't know." Denver was rescued by her parents, went to live with them and got off drugs.

Last February, she fell in with the same man and a woman came round to say she had broken into a house and wanted Denver's boyfriend's help.

Mr Hague said: "Her boyfriend had not long been out of prison. She went to stand-in for him to keep him out of trouble".

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.