THE father of an 11-year-old boy who broke into blood donors' cars has been ordered to pay compensation to his son's victims.

The boy, from Blackburn, comitted a series of offences involving vehicles in the Vale Street area of Darwen on July 10 with his nine-year-old brother.

The boy, who was ten when some of his crimes were committed, admitted three charges of theft of property from a motor vehicle and one charge of criminal damage.

Blackburn Youth Court heard that it was the third time this year the boy had appeared before the courts, and that he had 10 other offences recorded against him, for which he has been given cautions and final warnings.

The court was told that he climbed over a wall to steal from three vehicles in a private yard before damaging other cars in the same area with a hammer, including a Morris Minor and two classic Land Rovers.

On seeing that there was nothing worth stealing in these vehicles, the boy climbed out of the yard and approached a parked transit van, which he broke into and stole a motorbike helmet, the court was told.

Shortly afterwards, between 7pm and 7:30pm, the boy approached the Central United Reformed Church in Duckworth Street where people were donating blood, Blackburn youth court was told.

He smashed the window of one car with a brick and stole a stereo, using the same brick he smashed another car's window and stole a bag, and when he tried to do the same with a third car he was seen and later detained by the police.

The boy's father was ordered to pay compensation to the aggrieved including £100 towards £1,000 damage done to the vintage vehicles, £50 towards the £140 cost of a smashed window and stolen hair straighteners, £25 towards the loss of £85 for a smashed window and a stolen T-shirt, and £25 towards the loss of a £50 motorbike helmet. He is to pay the compensation by a deduction to his benefits.

The church has been used by The National Blood Service for about seven years and is well supported with around 100 donors turning up each time.

Councillors and The National Blood Service have appealed to donors not to let the break-ins deter them from performing their crucial role.