A TEENAGE "crimewave" who went on the run after appearing in court has been given an 18-month detention and training order.

The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted three charges of burglary and one of absconding from a youth offending team when he appeared before Hyndburn magistrates yesterday.

He also asked for six other burglaries to be taken into consideration.

The boy's mother, who had previously asked for him to be locked up to stop him re-offending, entered court prepared to take him back after hearing he could be given a supervision and tagging order.

But she agreed with the magistrates' decision, saying it was best that he had round-the-clock supervision at a young offenders' institution.

She said the council had sent her a final eviction notice because of his behaviour, and her partner had threatened to leave her if the boy returned to the family home.

The boy, from the Accrington area, has appeared in court more than 30 times in the last two years, mainly on burglary charges committed while he was subject to a supervision order, prompting police to label him "a lone crimewave".

In May he fled from the youth offending team in Accrington and was at large for two days before being caught.

Peter King, for the boy, told the magistrates he was showing signs of a positive outlook and asked them not to give him a custodial sentence.

"The deprivation of liberty of a lad of 13 should only be taken as a last resort," he said.

But presiding magistrate Maureen Walker said: "We have come to our conclusion, which we feel is in the best interests of the boy because of all the problems he has had with himself, his mother and the community at large.

"This bench is convinced the best way to deal with him to make sure he does grow up, is to give him a detention and training order.

"We want you to grow up," she told the teenager.

"You are a persistent young offender and we have to deal with you as a persistent young offender."

His mother broke down in tears as the sentence was imposed.

After the case, she said: "I'm glad really. I'm hoping it will be good for him."