A TEENAGER caught stealing lead from Farnworth Town Hall roof has been has been given a opportunity to "prove himself" by a judge.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 18-year-old Kyle Greenwood was spotted on the roof of the Market Street building at 11pm on October 10.

"After coaxing he came down and gave himself up," said Nicholas Flanagan, prosecuting. Police recovered the lead he had stripped from the roof, which was worth £1,000.

The court heard that the previous month Greenwood, of Church Street, Farnworth, had burgled a neighbour's home.

Mr Flanagan told Judge Richard Gioserano how victim, Shaun Williamson, was in his ground floor flat in Church Street on September 11, when a man, later identified as Greenwood, called.

"He came to the door and asked if he could borrow a screwdriver and if he had any cigarettes," said Mr Flanagan.

Mr Williamson kept Greenwood in sight while he went to get the items and, after he had gone, went out himself. But, when he returned after half an hour, he found he had been burgled.

An intruder had got in through a window and had stolen an Xbox and other equipment, worth a total of £250.

The next day, when police arrived at Mr Williamson's flat, they found a palm print on a window pane which belonged to Greenwood.When they went to the teenager's home police recovered several of the stolen items.

The court heard that Greenwood has previous convictions for arson, theft and robbery. And he had only been released from custody shortly before the burglary and theft, which he pleaded guilty to.

Isobel Thomas, defending, said that Greenwood had a difficult start to life, lives with his mother and, two years ago, his father died. Judge Gioserano commented: "He is still very young and maybe he is not a lost cause yet. I am going to give him the opportunity to prove himself."

Instead of custody Greenwood was sentenced to an intensive community order for 12 months. He was ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and participate in 40 days of rehabilitation activities.

"Time will tell whether I am doing the right thing, not only for you, but for the public," the judge told the teenager.