A TEENAGER arrested for the robbery of a woman in Burnley on Friday night has been charged with attempting to rape her.

Blackburn magistrates heard the 17-year-old was also charged with a knifepoint robbery at a shop in Nelson 14 hours later.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with robbery, attempted rape of the 47-year-old woman and possession of a knife in Healywood Road.

He was also charged with robbery at a grocery store in Every Street, Nelson, on Saturday at around 1.40pm and possession of a knife at the same time.

The magistrates ruled the offences constituted a grave crime and sent the youth to the Crown Court to be dealt with.

He was remanded to secure youth detention until January 16 and will appear at Burnley Crown Court.