A 14-YEAR-OLD boy was warned he faces detention after admitting four burglaries.

The youth, who cannot be named, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard that on January 19, he targeted homes at Broughton Road and Milner Street, both in South Shields.

On February 8, he struck at an address in Sunderland Road and targeted another house in the same street the following day. During one raid, he punched a woman while getting away.

He already has previous convictions and was described as a persistent offender by Judge Michael Cartlidge yesterday.

He was granted bail prior to sentencing.