Teenage girl, who 'robbed boys at knifepoint' is rewarded with RIDING LESSONS

A teenage girl accused of robbing children at knifepoint is to be sent on a three-month horse-riding course courtesy of the taxpayer.

The 17-year-old will go on the all-expenses-paid residential course despite breaching her bail conditions three times.

She has been accused of targeting pupils outside a school in Blackburn, threatening them with a knife and stealing money, a school blazer and a BlackBerry phone.

Lucky girl: The 17-year-old accused of robbery was given the chance to attend riding lessons despite breaching her bail conditions (picture posed by models)

But when she appeared before magistrates on Tuesday they altered her bail conditions so she could attend the course at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster. She is due to go on the course next week.

Last night campaigners branded it a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Charlotte Linacre, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: ‘It’s unfair to ask taxpayers to fund horse-riding lessons for this teenager or others, when that’s exactly the sort of luxury households would cut back on first when tightening their belts.’

A spokesman for the Families Against Crime campaign group said: ‘This is a preposterous decision. It sends out a message to this girl that she will not have to face up to the consequences of her actions, which is utterly wrong.’ The girl, from Blackburn, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was referred to the college by her local youth offending team, which includes police, probation officers, social workers and other officials.

The 12-week foundation course involves yard duties, looking after racehorses, riding out, attending lectures and studying.

The Government pays the £300 cost of the course, food and accommodation through the youth offending team, but this fee is subsidised by the college.

It is a charity and receives its funding from the Government, the EU and through donations and horseracing industry grants.

The 17-year-old (not pictured) will attend the residential course at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster, south Yorkshire

The girl appeared at Blackburn magistrates’ court after failing for the third time to keep to a 9pm to 7am curfew. Peter King, defending, said: ‘The course is going to be life-changing for her and she wants to change her life.’

The girl will appear at Preston Crown Court, with two men, at a later date charged with robbery, attempted robbery, receiving stolen goods and possessing a knife.

Mr King added that while his client had breached her bail there was no suggestion she had committed any further offences.

'The public finances are in a parlous state and costly schemes like this must prove their effectiveness if they want to keep getting taxpayer funding'

He said the horse racing course was something she 'really wants to happen'.

'Some attendees go on to be jockeys and some to be stable lads. That is the plan for my client, supported by the Youth Offending Team and funded by them.

The Northern Racing College receives referrals from youth offending teams and other young people associations such as The Prince's Trust

Allowing a change to bail conditions so the girl can move to Doncaster, the chairman of the magistrates said a lot had been said and done on the girl's behalf.

'It appears you are about to be given a tremendous opportunity,' said the chairman.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for children's services, said: 'The council's Youth Offending Team works with key partners to try and turn around the lives of our young people who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law for whatever reason.

'This involves engaging with young people to find activities which interest them in an effort to put them on the right track.

'We know that this works and any costs are far less than sending people to custody.

'It's also about doing what we can to prevent them getting a criminal record and jeopardising their future chances of getting a job later in life.'