A TEENAGER from Bury has been sent to youth detention for a string of offences including burglary, dangerous driving and handling stolen goods.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Paul Millen declined to appear over a video link from HMP Forest Bank for the second time in a week.

On the first occasion he said he “couldn’t be bothered” with the hearing and this week he said he had a “social visit” which took priority.

Upon discovering this, Judge Maurice Greene opted to go ahead with the sentence without the 19-year-old present.

The court heard he had first struck as a 17-year-old in October of 2019 when he entered a home on Turks Road in Radcliffe.

He was found inside the home but managed to make off with a knife, a torch and money in the form of cash and euros.

Millen struck again in December last year.

He received a Mercedes which had been taken in a house burglary.

When police spotted him in Salford he sped off dangerously on Ashton New Road, Beswick Street, Butler Street, Mellor Street, Naylor Street, Oldham Road, Queens Road, Rochdale Road and Waterpark Road.

Millen hit speeds of 100 miles per hour in areas here the limit was 30 and eventually crashed the car and ran off.

He struck again later the same months in Bury, trying doors and handles on properties and vehicles in attempt to gain access to them.

Millen had previous admitted to burglary, dangerous driving, handling stolen goods, attempted vehicle interference and attempted burglary.

The court heard Millen, of Bury New Road, Prestwich, had no previous convictions.

Passing sentence, Judge Greene said: “Only custody can be justified for the offences.”

He sent him to youth detention for 28 months and banned him from the roads for a year.