THE 16-year-old girl from Accrington at the centre of a national test case was back in prison today after giving herself up to police.

The teenage robber walked into Accrington police station almost two weeks after Hyndburn magistrates issued a warrant for her to be taken to a special wing for young offenders at Styal Prison, Cheshire.

Miss F, who cannot be named for legal reasons, hit the headlines when the High Court ruled she had been unlawfully jailed in Risley adult prison for two weeks.

After the hearing she was due to be taken to Styal, but police were unable to execute the warrant because her whereabouts were unknown.

However, as Accrington police were looking for Miss F, she was arrested in connection with a robbery and released by Thames Valley police unaware of the warrant. Inspector Stephen Lee of Accrington police said: "She gave herself up at the police station at midday yesterday and was taken to Styal prison."

Her solicitor, Peter King, a partner in Barlow Rowland, Accrington, confirmed she had given herself up to deal with her appeal against the "excessive length" of her eight-month sentence.

"She contacted the police of her volition.

"She has come to the view that it would be inappropriate to deal with the appeal proceedings while still at large," Mr King said.

He explained that Miss F had been reluctant to go into custody because she had received advice that the committal to Styal Prison might also be "unlawful".

Mrs F's appeal has been listed for Burnley Crown Court on Thursday, but Mr King said it might not be possible for her to attend at such short notice and the hearing could be delayed.

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