A teenage offender told a probation officer he committed a spate of serious offences earlier this year to get money to pay for crack cocaine and cannabis.

Tyler Ophield carried out a robbery, while armed with a knife and a pole, at a Premier convenience store, in Easington Colliery, at 3.45pm on Monday, January 17.

Durham Crown Court heard that he entered wearing a balaclava hat, after an earlier ‘recce’, and demanded cash, ordering other customers out of the premises.

He escaped with £1,200, but the terrified shop assistant who he confronted quit her job  as a result and was so fearful of reprisals she has been unwilling to provide police with a statement about the ordeal.

Despite his efforts to disguise himself, Ophield was recognised by police examining cctv at the shop and was arrested but made denials when interviewed.

Robin Patton, prosecuting, said while on bail weeks later the defendant and an accomplice entered a vehicle compound operated by Coparts UK, on Peterlee’s North West Industrial Estate, and damaged two vehicles, a Jeep Patriot and Mercedes Sprinter, they unsuccessfully tried to take, smashing a metal barrier in the process.

Police summoned to the site, late on Tuesday, February 22, arrested the defendant after he was found trying to hide in a BMW which he admitted he had also been attempting to take.

Mr Patton said when cautioned, Ophield told the officers: “I’m sorry, I have special needs,” but when interviewed, again gave no replies.

The damage to the first two cars and the metal barrier totalled about £15,000.

Once more bailed, the defendant broke into a farmhouse after smashing two windows at Little Thorpe, between Easington and Horden, at 6.30pm on April 10.

Mr Patton said Ophield tried to force a key safe from a wall and entered the kitchen, where the retired male householder confronted him, as the defendnat searched cupboards and drawers.

The intruder ran off, but he could be clearly seen as he fled on neighbours’ cctv and was recognised when police examined the footage.

Mr Patton said not only was Ophield in breach of his bail, again, but he had also flouted curfew restrictions.

The court heard that prior to a previous hearing in the case, Ophield left the building and fled after breaking his ankle tag, but he was re-arrested days later.

Read more: County Durham teenager remanded in custody on a number of charges

He told a probation officer that the aim in each of the offences was to gain money to pay for crack cocaine and cannabis and admitted had was under the influence of the drugs during each incident.

Ophield, 19, of Glebe Avenue, Easington Colliery, admitted charges of robbery, knife possession, burglary with intent to steal, two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, plus one each of attempted theft and criminal damage.

Appearing at the sentencing hearing via video link to HMP Durham, Ophield read a letter apologising for his offending, claiming he was on drugs at the time and did not know what he was doing.

He claimed he was led into crime due to the people he hung about with.

Jane Waugh, for Ophield, said he was previously lightly convicted and since his incarceration in custody he has managed to get a job within prison and has engaged with a substance and alcohol misuse team.

She said psychological and psychiatric reports highlight his learning difficulties and stated he, “functions as a 12-year-old”, finding it hard to control his impulses.

Judge Ray Singh said it, “beggars belief” that the defendant kept being bailed only to go on to commit more crime.

The judge said despite his learning difficulties, Ophield’s main motivation for the crime spree, all committed while under the influence of various substances, was his desire to buy more drugs.

Having awarded the defendant a “generous” 25-per cent discount on sentence to reflect his guilty pleas, Judge Singh imposed a three-year custodial order in a young offenders’ institution.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054