A TEENAGER who forced a door of his near neighbour's house and helped himself to property, has kept his freedom.

Jason Maxwell, 18, described by his counsel as a 'rudderless ship,' had no previous convictions and a judge told Burnley Crown Court probation would benefit him and society as well.

Judge Hamilton said although the offence was a house burglary, it did not have any significant aggravating features and was not the most serious of its type.

Maxwell, of Sandfield Road, Bacup, who admitted burglary and had been committed for sentence by magistrates, was put on probation for two years.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said the defendant had been to the house targeted, in Crabtree Avenue, Waterfoot, in the past as he knew the victim. A neighbour heard banging on the door and another telephoned the complainant to alert him to what was happening.

A door, which had been damaged in the past by somebody kicking it, had been removed from its hinges and electrical equipment, a camera and telephone were taken.

The telephone and camera had been sold to another man, but were recovered and returned to the owner.

Mr Lamberty said Maxwell was arrested and at first said he had not been to the house at all. Later, he said he had entered the premises and taken property.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said it was not every offence of house burglary which necessarily need be met by a custodial sentence.

Maxwell was somewhat like a 'rudderless ship,' which could not go one way or another and a probation order could be imposed.