A YOUNG York tearaway was treated to burger and chips and free cinema tickets as part of rehabilitation for a string of serious crimes, it was revealed today.

The 14-year-old's mother was so disgusted with the "leniency" shown to him she later refused to pick him up from the police station.

The boy, from north York, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has yet to be sent to court, despite being arrested for crimes including theft, criminal damage and arson.

He has vowed to continue his crime spree, despite undergoing several rehabilitation sessions with the York Youth Offending Team (YOT), at Mill House.

His mother says the treatment was no deterrent, as her son and other teenagers were treated to burger and chips and free cinema tickets at City Screen during a final session.

The boy was referred to YOT after being repeatedly caught shoplifting. As part of his treatment, he apologised to the manager of one shop where he stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods.

But in a desperate cry for help, his mother refused to pick him up from the police station after he was later arrested for arson.

She contacted the Evening Press after reading about a 17-year-old self-confessed "crime addict", who branded the youth justice system a "joke" after "getting away" with a catalogue of offences.

"He thinks he will get burger and chips every time he does something wrong," she said.

"None of the punishments frighten him. He told me and the youth offending team that he will reoffend and be in prison by the age of 16.

"I was assured he would go to court after the arson. I refused to collect him from the police as a final attempt to get something done.

"I love him and want the best, but he needs to be properly punished."

The 30-year-old believes her son has a chemical imbalance in his brain which gives him the urge to commit crime.

"He has been to psychiatrists, but they say there is nothing wrong with him," she said.

"I recently took him to Doncaster prison to visit a relative so he would be shocked by the conditions. But he wasn't bothered."

The boy is currently suspended from school after swearing at teachers.

Helen Bromley, practice manager for York Youth Offending Team, said: "The Youth Offending Team is made up of a range of professionals, including police officers and social workers, who work in partnership to prevent young people reoffending.

"When a young person is referred to us they receive an individual assessment which identifies specific areas they need to work on. This may include face-to-face mediation with the victims of their crime or voluntary work within the community. However, under present legislation the YOT cannot force young

people to attend sessions unless they are made subject to a court order.

"As part of our work to improve the service and our results, we undertake consultation exercises with young people who have experience of the YOT.

"We use the City Screen as an informal environment in which to discuss a wide variety of issues."

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, October 02, 2003