A TEENAGER who flouted the lockdown and took part in a night-time burglary with two friends was told he had put the lives of his mother and three younger brothers at risk.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told the boy it "beggared belief" that he had contravened Government regulations in the face of coronavirus pandemic.

"It has been said your friends persuaded you to take part but no matter what influence they had on you you should not have gone," said Judge Hirst.

"If they had told you to kill your family you would not have done it. You risked the lives of your family and offences are being taken seriously against the background of the coronavirus."

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to burglary at Northern Polytunnels Colne and possession of cannabis. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with a condition of bail that he is subject to a tagged curfew between 6 pm and 6 am.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said a man who lived on Waterside Road, heard a disturbance at the premises on Sunday night. He went out with his son and they found the defendant crouching down. He was wearing black clothing and a black balaclava.

"They bound him with cable ties until the police arrived," said Mr Bardsley. "He said there were two more men inside the premises and one had an axe and the other a crow bar. They were both arrested."

Daniel Frazer, defending, said his client had been led by the others.

"He doesn't know why he got involved but to his credit he was fully compliant when he was confronted.

"He is aware of the national crisis but can't explain why he left the house at this time. He just has to accept he was doing something he shouldn't have been doing."