Opened in 1912, Blackburn Magistrates' Court is a grey stone edifice that looms over its town centre location.
Arriving at the imposing listed building to appear before magistrates is a daunting experience for anyone, let alone a young person up before youth court for the first time.
"It was horrible," says Sarah*, recalling her first appearance aged 14 or 15. "I didn't think it was right the youths sat in the same waiting room as the adults. It was intimidating."
Although it was altogether an uncomfortable experience, that was not enough to prevent Sarah appearing before Blackburn's youth panel several more times for various antisocial behaviour offences.
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