A TEENAGER who took part in a street mugging in which a pensioner was knocked to the ground and left in pain and injured, has been sent to detention for three years.

Steven Halstead, 18, of Blucher Street, Colne, had earlier been convicted of robbery after a trial and was sentenced by Recorder Alan Conrad, QC.

He had claimed he had nothing to do with the attack and had gone to help the 80 year old victim to her feet.

Burnley Crown Court had earlier heard how a 16 year old heroin addict who grabbed the woman's bag was pursued and detained by her son who by chance was passing in a car..

Halstead claimed the culprit had run past him with the pensioner's handbag and he had gone to the old lady's aid.

The court had been told the victim had got off a bus from Nelson when she was robbed, in April.

She had only gone a few yards when her bag was snatched by the 16 year old. He had earlier admitted robbery and been sent to detention.

Halstead was jointly involved in the crime and lied to the police.

The 16 year old, who a judge earlier ordered should not be named claimed Halstead did not know he was going to take the bag and was not involved.