A TEENAGER who burgled two elderly people's homes has been warned by magistrates that he may be sent into custody.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Northwich Youth Court last Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to two burglaries and one attempted burglary on May 13.

The court heard how the boy intentionally targeted the homes of two women, aged 83 and 76, during incidents on May 13.

The offences were committed while the boy, who is a persistent young offender, was on an action plan order.

The teenager was remanded in secure accommodation by magistrates after Catherine Whincup, prosecuting, told the court the 14-year-old posed a serious risk of reoffending if granted bail.

She said: "The victims of these burglaries are elderly and he was targeting vulnerable people.

"The public needs protection."

Brian Gum, chairman of the bench, adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports leaving all options open, including custody.

Det Sgt Dave Snasdell, from Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, is hopeful the courts will punish the teenager appropriately when he is sentenced.

He said: "This is a boy who was already on an action plan order which was clearly not appropriate.

"Intervention by a youth offending team does work for a large amount of offenders but some people will continue to commit crime.

"He has come into contact with the police regularly in the past three or four months and the public need protection from him.

"He entered the homes of elderly people and I'm confident the courts will give him an appropriate sentence."