Judge warns boy: I’m watching you

A 15-year-old boy from Oldham narrowly evaded being given a custodial sentence after embarking on a crime spree, but was warned by a judge: “I’ll be watching you.”.

The boy broke into a church in Uppermill, a Lees school, stole a charity collection box and was caught with a knife.

But he was given one final chance by District Judge James Prowse who ordered the boy to complete a rehabilitation order at Oldham Youth Court on Friday.

The court heard that the teenager started the crime wave by smashing the window of the youth project based at the Uppermill Methodist Church during the last weekend in April.

From there he stole a first-aid bag and £120 in cash but was caught by DNA left on a can of pop at the scene.

The young opportunist, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was then caught on CCTV with a man breaking into fairground stalls in Llandudno, Wales. He later admitted steling a charity collection box for the RNLI, bottles of champagne and watches.

The words “You’ve been robbed, ha, ha, ha,” were scrawled in black marker on one of the stall covers.

On Saturday, May 14, he broke into the Hey With Zion Primary School in Lees by smashing a window, while in June he was caught by PCSOs carrying a 6in blade while riding a bicycle in Grotton that he admitting to stealing from a local drive.

He went on to steal a Blackberry and iPhone from his brother and friend before trying to sell them on in the pub.

On Sunday, August 21, he was caught on CCTV for two hours trying to prise his way through temporary boarding to get into the Co-Op petrol station in Lees.

District Judge Prowse said: “A lot of families would have washed their hands of you, but you’re lucky to have a loving family behind you and you owe it them and yourself not to let them down.”

The boy admitted five charges of burglary with intent to steal, five counts of theft and one of possessing a knife or bladed item.

He is banned from Uppermill and Lees, unless accompanied by a parent or social services, will be subject to a 90-day electronic curfew from 7pm-7am and was ordered to pay £933 in compensation.

The judge warned the boy: “If you breach a single part of this order then you will be back. I’ll be watching you.”

An application to make the boy subject of an anti-social behaviour order will be heard on November 16.