A TEENAGER has been sent to a youth offender unit after carrying a knife in a rural lane.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, was handed a four month detention and training order last Wednesday at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court.

He initially pleaded not guilty to possessing a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public placea at the first hearing, on July 27.

But he changed his plea to guilty last week.

The teenager was caught with a blade in the Idle area on July 3 this year.

He also faced two other charges: attempted robbery and criminal damage to property under the value of £5,000.

The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to criminal damage at that first court appearance and not guilty to attempted robbery.

But these offences were dismissed last Wednesday as no evidence was offered.

The court sentenced the teenager to the detention and training order, which was made for four months and has an overall term of order of 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £34 to fund victim services.

The teenager's guilty plea was taken into account when sentencing.