A TEENAGE tearaway is being taken on holiday to Jamaica by care bosses just days after Prime Minister Tony Blair launched a crackdown on yobbish behaviour.

The boy, who has already been taken to Disneyland Paris, is one of several being treated to the Caribbean trip by staff at the privately-owned Lincoln House children's home in Blackburn.

The owner of the centre today defended the holiday, claiming it would help boost the local teenager's confidence.

But critics said the trip sent out the message that crime paid -- in the week when Mr Blair launched his Respect agenda to punish those who do wrong.

Details of the trip emerged when the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Blackburn youth court to driving while disqualified, with excess alcohol and without insurance.

He has previous convictions for drink driving, driving while disqualified, theft, police obstruction and unauthorised taking of motor vehicles.

The case was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and defence solicitor Ian Holland asked for bail conditions to be relaxed to allow the boy to go on the trip, from January 19 to January 26.

He said the 'holiday' would include other residents and several members of staff.

The Lincoln Road home provides a service for local councils who do not have the facilities for older teenagers making the transition between childrens' homes and the outside world and receives funding from council social services departments.

Former Tory spokesman for social services on Blackburn with Darwen Council, Coun John Williams said: "Our social services department is always supposed to be cash-strapped. If this organisation's trustees are so determined to spend money, how about spending it on reducing the cost to taxpayers for the service?

"It is a ridicilous idea to reward crime with a trip like this. What about children in other care homes? What do they get? How many children with families get to go to Jamaica?"

Coun Paul McGurty, another former social services spokesman for the Tories, said: "I can't believe the council hasn't stepped in to stop this. They fund this child's place, they should control what he can and can't do. I thought crime didn't pay."

Lib Dem leader Paul Browne said: "Tony Blair tells us one day he is going to recreate respect and punish criminals, then one of his councils goes and allows this to happen. It's a disgrace."

Amjad Shah, who runs Lincoln House, said: "Councils pay for the placement and there are several teenagers going on the planned trip to Jamaica. I don't want to talk about individual cases, but the teenager in court has made massive progress since he came here.

"We have done other trips to Dubai and the Dominican Republic and it does wonders for the self-esteem of these youngsters. They have never had an experience like it before, and may never have it again. We want them to have the confidence so they don't get involved in crime.

"It's made possible because we put 80per cent of our profits back into the business for the good of the youngsters."

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for social services said: "The council is not funding this holiday.

"Our clear understanding is that the trustees of Lincoln House, which is an independent care home, are funding the holiday as part of their programme of activities with the young people in their care."When asked if she thought the trip was appropriate, Coun Bateson said: "I don't see it as a reward for doing wrong. It was probably arranged in advance. I can't now tell them he can't go."

Mr Holland told the court that the boy's mother was an alcoholic and his father attempted to commit suicide in front of him.

Richard Timmis, of the Blackburn Youth Offending Team, said the boy was 'revelling' in his placement at Lincoln House and the court was told his offending had slowed down.

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said research had shown that holidays for those in care can do them the power of good.

A report by the National Children's Bureau, based on research involving 300 children, states: "We tend to see holidays as a luxury, but the research is telling us it was absolutely essential in promoting feelings of well-being for these young people."

But behavioural experts have previously cast doubt on such trips.

Tony Blair's spokeswoman said he would not comment on individuial cases and declined to comment on the general principle of foreign holidays for young offenders.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw was unavailable for comment.