A HARTLEPOOL teenager who is helping other young people keep their lives on track has won a national award for turning his own life around.

Shaun Crannage, 18, had been involved in a few minor incidents until he stole metal off the roof of a bungalow when he was 17.

As part of his referral order to the Youth Offending Service (YOS) by the Court, Shaun was invited to take part in a Restorative Justice Panel, whereby he would meet with the victim of his crime, Pauline Frost.

Mrs Frost had been extremely frightened and disturbed by the incident as she was in the house when he committed the crime. She was terrified of going to sleep on a night, and even had to pay someone to stay with her until she felt better.

As an ex-teacher, she has dealt with young people before and the only compensation she wanted was for Shaun to realise the effect of what he had done.

Shaun met with Miss. Frost; he apologised, took full responsibility and vowed never to commit another crime again.

Since the incident, Shaun has completely transformed his life and as a result has won the most inspirational young person at the Kids Count Awards.

He said: “Winning the award was brilliant and going to the House of Commons to collect my award was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I was sick of getting into trouble but couldn’t find a way out of it until I realised the damage that I was doing.

“I want to tell people who commit crime to think about what they are doing, they are responsible for their own actions and as my role as a special advisor to young people I will try and help them to understand that.”

Miss Frost said: “What Shaun did disturbed me deeply, but he didn’t have to meet with me and I’m glad he has started making his life better.

“I told him that I understood he had issues but that he had to take notice of what is around him and the support on offer if he wanted to change. It was a healing process for me as well, and helped me to get over the situation.

“I think it is great that he has had this support and the immediate reaction of partner agencies was superb. I hope Shaun continues his good behaviour and remembers the lessons he has learned.”

Lesley Hamilton from Hartlepool’s Youth Offending Service said: “Shaun has taken the bull by the horns and has turned his life around for the better, he is also now in full-time employment.

“The work of a number of partners has helped Shaun with his progress and in particular the Children’s Society who were involved in the victim mediation. We hope that Shaun can have an impact on the lives of other young people that come through the Youth Offending Service.”

Shaun was required by the Court to go to a Referral Order Panel meeting, conducted by community volunteers in partnership with the YOS, to discuss the crime and how to repair the harm that he caused.

Sandra Beeton from the Association of Panel Members said: “Community Panel Members are a new addition to the administration of justice in our communities, working on the basis that no shorter, sharper shock can be delivered to an offender, than meeting face-to-face with their victim and making good the damage.”

Shaun will also be working as part of some national young peoples projects to give his views.