A WARRANT was issued for the arrest of a Burnley teenager after he failed to turn up in court to be sentenced for throwing a snowball.

Police were today hunting the 15-year-old boy, of the Lowerhouse area of Burnley, who was believed to be the first person to be prosecuted using 161-year-old legislation.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to launching the missile when he appeared at Reedley Youth Court earlier this year.

But a warrant was issued for his arrest at the court yesterday after he failed to show up for sentencing.

Police used powers under the Town and Police Closure Act 1845, to charge the youth with an offence of throwing a missile to the obstruction, annoyance and danger of people.

The maximum sentence is a fine of £1,000 and 14 days imprisonment.

The court heard how 65-year-old victim William Jenkinson was driving along Cog Lane, with his wife Miriam on March 14 at 1.55pm when his car was struck by a snowball.

The youth, who has 32 convictions for 57 separate offences, including theft and offences against the person and property, was arrested at his home three hours after the offence was committed.

He was taken to Burnley police station and held in custody for more than 22 hours before being questioned under what his defence described as "draconian" legislation.

In March, a second Burnley boy, aged 14, pleaded guilty of the same offence in connection with the incident.

He was ordered to pay £100 in compensation and had three months added to an existing six-month referral order.

After the case his mother, 34, said she was shocked by the decision to prosecute and the boy's solicitor said the case was the result of politically-correct times.