A TEENAGER has been given one last chance of staying out of prison despite breaking into the homes of two elderly people.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is a persistent young offender and was on police and court bail at the time of the offences on May 13.

The boy intentionally targeted the homes of an 83-year-old man and 76-year-old woman on Delamere Rise but magistrates decided against sending him into custody.

Ruth Downes, chairman of the bench, gave the boy an intensive supervision and surveillance programme (ISSP) as a direct alternative to custody, which includes a curfew between 7pm and 7am.

She said: "We have considered very carefully what has been said on your behalf.

"We are very concerned but we are going to give you one last chance to stay in the community and attend at school."

Chris Johnson, defending, told the court that he is hopeful his client's offending will stop now the boy is attending school again.

He said: "The devil makes work for idle hands.

"At long last a school placement has been found for him as he has been three years without education.

"He's been wandering the streets during the daytime and he's found himself mucking about with the wrong people."

Det Sgt Dave Snasdell, from Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, hopes the teenager has finally learned his lesson.

He said: "I'm disheartened at the sentence but the magistrates feel this is appropriate.

"He will be strictly monitored with his curfew and this will assist us with keeping a close eye on his behaviour.

"If he commits any further offences we will know about it and we will have him back before the courts."