Blackburn shoplifter was found with missing girl (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn shoplifter was found with missing girl

4:30pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News

A Blackburn teenager arrested for shoplifting was found to be in company with a 14-year-old girl who had been missing from home for two days.

Blackburn magistrates heard Akeel Mohammed Ilyas had previously been warned to keep away from the girl.

Ilyas, 18, of Princes Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and detaining a child from those with lawful control of her.

He was remanded on bail to be sentenced today when he is due before the court to be dealt with for an offence of burglary.

John Beggs, prosecuting, said Ilyas was detained on Blackburn market with the girl.

“In June of last year, for behaviour that was of concern to the police and those protecting children an order was served on him in relation to this girl,” said Mr Beggs. “He was told he should not have any contact with her.”

Colleen Dickinson-Jones, defending, said Ilyas was contacted by the girl who wanted to meet up with him.

“He agreed to meet her on the market because it is a public place,” said Miss Dickinson-Jones. “He didn’t think meeting in a public place would be classed as abduction.

“He was with her for 15 minutes and didn’t intend going anywhere else.”