Teenager warned he could face 'life of crime'

Magistrates warned 18-year-old Nathan Shaw he could “slip into a life of crime” if he did not change his ways.

Shaw, of Bridge’s Street, Atherton, was in the dock at Wigan And Leigh Magistrates’ Court after several incidents.

Katie Beattie, prosecuting, said his grandfather Stephen Shaw received abusive text messages on May 4 after Shaw missed an appointment about his benefits.

Shaw went to his home on Wigan Road, Leigh, and shouted, threatened to kick in a door and elbowed a car window.

Miss Beattie said there was another incident on June 3 where Shaw smashed glass windows with a brick.

He pleaded guilty to criminal damage and using threatening words or behaviour.

He also admitted stealing clothes from TK Maxx in Leigh on Saturday - a day after being given a conditional discharge for other offences.

Bob Toppin, defending, said Shaw was in a “precarious” position, but there were signs he wanted to turn his life around and he had been offered accommodation.

He was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 20 rehabilitation days and 40 hours of unpaid work.

A restraining order prevents him contacting his grandparents for two years and he must pay £120 compensation.

Magistrate Peter Rogerson told Shaw: “You have an opportunity now to control your temper, to take advantage of the accommodation you have got, to separate yourself for the moment from your family and to start to live a decent life. If you don’t, you are going to slip into a life of crime.

“Decision time. You know you have got two doors - one gives a decent life, the other gives a dreadful life. Your choice.”