Nelson man walks free from court over 'shelter' given to 17-year-old Blackburn runaway (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Nelson man walks free from court over 'shelter' given to 17-year-old Blackburn runaway

9:30pm Tuesday 22nd December 2009

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A NELSON man who admitted sheltering a 17-year-old Blackburn girl who had ran away from social services care has walked free from court after a judge heard he had turned his life around.

Police and social services had warned Anthony Callander, 39, about the dangers of putting up the girl, who was in the care of Blackburn social services, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had come to the attention of police as part of Operation Engage, the East Lancashire initiative established to safeguard the interests of vulnerable youngsters, the court was told.

But just five days after being banned from associating with her by the authorities, the teenager was found asleep at Callander's flat in Blackburn Road, Accrington.

Callander, now of Pine Street, Nelson, admitted unlawfully keeping a child away from the care of social services, on September 25 this year.

He also pleaded guilty to producing cannabis, after a police raid on his former home in Chapel Street, Nelson, when police found five adult plants and 66 younger specimens.

Judge Butler said it was clear that there had been no improper relationship between the defendant and teenager, who he knew through a friend.

The judge said: "This is a very unusual situation. If you had done what you should have done and contacted the police or the local authority to collect (the girl) you would have been commended rather than castigated."

Callander was given a 36-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with a 12-month supervision order and £300 court costs.

The court was told that the girl now 18, had asked Callander to be the godfather for her recently-born child.

David Macro, prosecuting, said the defendant gave her food, cigarettes and a place to stay and had reported her missing to social services previously.

He was told by police that he must turn her away if she turned up at his property again.

Ian Metcalfe, defending, said the pair had built up a common bond, as both had suffered bereavements.

Callander had worked to beat his cannabis addiction, since his later arrest, and was now drug-free.

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