A boy burglar has failed in his bid to keep his freedom just one month after he was released from custody.

The 16-year-old from the west side of York has twice damaged roofs when climbing on to homes to try and escape from police.

York Youth Court heard he had committed six burglaries.

On his latest court appearance, he denied a burglary in Barbara Grove, Holgate, committed on October 19, 12 days before he was given a four-month detention and training order in October.

Justices convicted him after a trial.

He pleaded guilty to damaging a roof in St Paul's Square on October 19 as he fled from police and admitted a £300 burglary at a house in Foxwood Lane in August.

He asked for a £390 July burglary in Huntsman Close, York, to be taken into consideration.

His barrister, Nick Worsley, pleaded for him to be given a non-custodial sentence on the grounds he had served time inside since the burglaries and had had three burglaries taken into consideration at his October hearing.

But justices gave the boy a second four-month detention and training order.

Mr Worsley immediately said the 16-year-old would appeal against the sentence and applied for bail.

But justices told police to take the boy to Wetherby Young Offenders' Institut-ion.

Mr Worsley said at the time of the offences, the boy had been sleeping rough because he had fallen out with his parents and had mixed with bad company. He had not committed the crimes on his own.

The court heard that he has not offended since his release and has been co-operating with York Youth Offending Team.

The October sentence was for handling stolen goods, theft and an affray with associated criminal damage, during which the boy climbed on to a roof in Portland Place, off Gillygate, to escape from police.

Updated: 10:17 Wednesday, February 07, 2001