A teenager who plagued a County Durham town with a series of burglaries and thefts has been sentenced after being caught by police.

Throughout July and August, the 15-year-old burgled several properties in the Consett area, including Consett Golf Club and Leadgate Post Office.

He also stole a Kia Sportage from a house in Villa Real, and tried to break into two commercial garages to steal vehicles that were parked inside.

The teenager, who can’t be named due to his age, was charged with a total of 25 offences following an extensive investigation by Stanley Volume Crime Team.

He appeared at Newton Aycliffe Youth Court on Friday (August 18) where he admitted the offences.

The court sentenced him to a 12-month youth referral order, which will see him work with a youth offender panel to address his behaviour.

The panel will draw up a contract which will aim to ensure the teenager takes responsibility for his behaviour, helping him to address the reasons for his offending.

If he does not comply with the contract set out by the panel, the case will be sent back to court and he will be dealt with in another way.

Detective Sergeant Mal Ord, from Stanley Volume Crime Team, said: “This teenager has caused considerable harm towards our local communities over the last few weeks.

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“Working together with our colleagues in response and neighbourhood policing, we have worked hard to build a strong case to present at court, resulting in the defendant pleading guilty to all offences.

“I hope the youth referral order will help the defendant to address his behaviour and tackle the underlying issues that have contributed to his offending, hopefully resulting in him becoming a law-abiding member of society.”