A TEENAGER desperate for cash to repay a debt burgled the home of his mother’s partner, knowing he was out at the time, a court heard.

But on his return, he saw Kieran Manning climbing from a living room window, at 10pm on August 17.

Durham Crown Court was told Manning, who was known by the victim, shouted to him to ring his mother, before fleeing the scene.

The householder discovered there had been an untidy search of the bungalow, in Bishop Auckland, in which £285 was taken from a wallet.

An open kitchen window appeared to have been the point of entry.

When interviewed, Manning, of Hylton Road, Bishop Auckland, said nothing, but admitted burglary at an earlier hearing, when he also admitted threatening words and behaviour and breaching a restraining order.

Adam Walker, mitigating, said there was, “a degree of coercion” behind the burglary, as Manning received threats over unpaid debts.

But Mr Walker said Manning has since spent “a difficult” 11 weeks in custody, in Durham Prison, during which time he has addressed drug and drink issues and vowed to make a clean break, having found religion.

Recorder Euan Duff said as Manning has had a taste of custody he could impose a three-year community order, during which he must undergo 30 probation-supervised rehabilitation activity days.