A JUDGE fulfilled a pledge made to a young burglar who was given a chance to avoid a prison sentence, last autumn.

Corey Ramplin, 20, was one of two burglars caught not far from the scene of a breakfast time burglary at an outhouse, attached to a property in Helford Road, Peterlee, on September 18.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court in October, the hearing was told a drill set, worth £180, plus a set of keys were taken.

Police were called and officers searching the area spotted the duo on a nearby rear footpath, at 7.50am.

Despite efforts to run off and hide, both were arrested and the back-pack, containing the stolen drill parts, was recovered nearby.

Ramplin, 20, of Pentland Close, Peterlee, admitted burglary and was given a four-month, electronically-monitored 6pm to 6am home curfew, as part of a 12-month community order to include 15 probation activity days.

But, Judge Christopher Prince warned Ramplin any breach would land him back before him, and an inevitable spell in custody would follow.

He appeared back in court last week and admitted having breached his curfew conditions by not being at home overnight on March 15 as well as for several hours at night on March 18.

Judge Prince remanded him in custody and, having spent a week in Durham Prison, Ramplin appeared via video link to the court.

The judge told him: “Now you have had a few days in custody you might understand how important it is that you comply with orders of the court.”

He dealt with the breach by adding two more activity days, ensuring Ramplin’s release later yesterday.