ZOWIE Bentley's failure to make an appearance at court resulted in him missing the first appearance of his new born child.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Bentley was on his way to hospital when he was arrested on a warrant.

And Stephen Parker, defending, said the birth had been due to be induced and in all probability the child would have been born while Bentley was languishing in police cells.

Bentley, 18, of Linden Crescent, Darwen, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal and failing to answer bail and asked for another burglary offence to be taken into consideration. He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 18 months and ordered to pay £50 compensation.

Kendal Lindley, prosecuting, said Bentley had broken into an unoccupied house but had fled empty handed when the alarm went off. Stephen Parker, defending, said Bentley had failed to appear in court because his girlfriend was pregnant and there had been problems.

"She was admitted yesterday to be induced and he was on his way to hospital when police executed the warrant," said Mr Parker. "In all probability his girlfriend will have given birth by now."