Ben is now in a new home

Ben, a 15-year-old from Stockton-on-Tees, is one of many young offenders who have turned their lives around after being given a "final warning".

Under the government scheme, instead of being given an indefinite number of cautions, juvenile offenders are given one last chance before entering the court system.

Ben stole a motor scooter from a car park and was caught by the police.

I fancied something I hadn't got... I was bored as well Ben

He was given a final warning and it was discovered that he had been in foster care most of his life and had been out of school for two years.

He now says he regrets committing a crime.

"It was just for a laugh. I was with some friends earlier in the day when I saw it.

"It was because I fancied having one. I knew it was wrong. I won't do it again."

Being shown the consequences of re-offending was an important experience, Ben says.

"I got arrested, I got put in a cell. I had a talk with prison warders. That put me off.

"I just wouldn't want to go to prison so I wouldn't do it again.

"You get beaten up and all stuff like that."

I would like to either be a mechanic or a joiner - I'm good at practical stuff Ben

How he came to be playing truant and committing crime is a familiar tale.

"I fancied something I hadn't got... I was bored as well.

"I wasn't in school at the time so I was hanging around doing nothing.

"I feel stupid. I knew I was going to get caught for it."

Under the scheme, Ben has also written a letter of apology to his victim, completed community work, and started to improve his life in other ways.

He starts a new college course this week and his new foster parents are delighted with his progress.

Part of the emphasis in the scheme is on coordination with other services, and Ben's new foster placement has helped him change

A lot of it is peer pressure, also boredom - they would rather hang around the streets than go to school Lesley Ben's mother

"It's got me away from people I used to get in trouble with. I'm happier than I was before.

"I'm just not getting in trouble anymore.

"I would like to either be a mechanic or a joiner - I'm good at practical stuff."

Mother Lesley said her new charge had settled well and was keeping away from mischief.

"He was mixing with the wrong people and getting into trouble, now he doesn't tend to do anything that he shouldn't be doing.

"He's very quiet. You don't really know he's there half the time. It's important that there's somebody there you can turn to for help if they do need some form of support.

"A lot of it is peer pressure, also boredom. They would rather hang around the streets than go to school."

Now starting college and simply "getting on with his life", Lesley adds, Ben has "a very good chance".

And his final message to other youths tempted into crime: "Just don't do it, it isn't worth it."