A YOUNG man has narrowly escaped jail after burgling a primary school near Darlington.

Ashley Lawrence Wardell pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary after trespassing at St George’s Academy, in Middleton St George, on August 29, when he stole a safe and an iPad.

Appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday, he also pleaded guilty to an attempted burglary at the Middleton St George Dental Practice on the same day.

The father-of-three also admitted criminal damage after damaging a front living room window at a property in Darlington, on August 27, as well as three counts of disorderly behaviour.

Two further charges of using threatening behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress and threatening to damage or destroy property were withdrawn by the prosecution.

The 23-year-old, of Pine Street Grove, Middleton St George, received an eight-week prison sentence for the burglary at the school, six weeks in prison for the attempted burglary at the dentist and an additional two weeks in prison for an additional theft charge.

Magistrate Alan Adams said the sentences would run concurrently but be suspended for 12 months.

Mr Adams also imposed a community order with supervision and 12 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days as well as fining him £80 for each other criminal damage charges.

No separate penalty was ordered for the two charged of disorderly behaviour but Wardell was ordered to pay £310 in compensation to the dentistry practice and £85 in costs.

A restraining order for his two victims was also granted for 24 months.