A TEENAGER who tried to break into three stores in Alexandria in the space of two days has been allowed back on to the streets – despite repeated breaches of two separate bail orders.

The 17-year-old was due to be sentenced at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday – but when he appeared in the dock the court was told that background social work reports, ordered after he admitted the three offences, had yet to be compiled.

The teen, who cannot be named because of his age, admitted trying to break in to O'Brien's Newsagent in Alexandria's Bank Street on June 12 by forcing open a roller shutter using a scaffolding pole.

The following day, the court heard, the youth used a brick to break a padlock and force open a shutter at Lennox News, also in Bank Street, with intent to steal.

And also on June 13, he forced open the sliding doors of the Greggs store in nearby Main Street, again with the intention of committing a theft.

On each occasion the youth breached two bail orders imposed on him at Glasgow Sheriff Court on March 9 and June 4, flouting a condition barring him from committing any further criminal offences.

On hearing that the reports previously requested were not available, Sheriff Moira Mackenzie deferred sentence further, until August 10.

Despite the three breaches of two separate bail orders, Sheriff Mackenzie decided to continue his bail until then.