A TEENAGER who agreed to act as lookout for a gang burgling village shops escaped a prison sentence yesterday.

Appearing before magistrates in Harrogate, Adam Carding, 18, admitted two offences of burglary and one of failing to answer bail.

He was given an 18-month community order with probation supervision and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £202.75 compensation, a quarter share of a bill for damage at the raided premises.

Caroline May, prosecuting, said Carding, of Middleton Road, Belle Isle, Leeds, was one of four men arrested outside the post office in Green Hammerton, near York, in the early hours of October 10.

The gang had earlier struck at a Spar store in High Street, Boroughbridge, and a post office in Marton-cum-Grafton.

Geoffrey Boothby, for Carding, said he had been the group's lookout, but had not set out with the intention of committing crime. He had gone out for a ride with the others not knowing they were intent on burglary.