Safari-trip boy admits further burglary charges

THE teenager at the centre of the recent row over 'character building' holidays for young offenders was yesterday given a new one-year supervision order when he admitted charges of attempted burglary, assault and failing to surrender to bail.

The decision made at Gloucester youth court comes less than a month after a one-year supervision order on the 17-year-old.

On 12 January, after returning from a pounds 7,000 African safari trip arranged by the Bryn Melyn rehabilitation centre, he admitted 36 offences, including burglary, assault and motoring charges. Magistrates returned him to the centre in north Wales.

The offences admitted yesterday related to last May - months before the trip. Christopher Charlton, a Bryn Melyn staff member, told magistrates: 'He has responded very well . . . There have been no problems while in Gloucester.'

David Baker, from social services, added: 'We are satisfied things have gone perfectly satisfactorily since 12 January.'

Yesterday's hearing was told the teenager faces a further court appearance on 2 March to answer additional charges.