A TEENAGER who burgled a house while his elderly victims lay sleeping was locked up for 18 months yesterday.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, admitted two charges of burglary at Teesside Crown Court.

Sarah Mallett, prosecuting, told the court that the youth, from Darlington, had first broken into a house in the town's Teal Road on October 6, while the couple were asleep, and stole jewellery and cash worth £790.

Miss Mallett said, the youth struck again on October 21, stealing from a window ledge of an office in a converted garage of a house in Garthfield Avenue, Darlington.

She said the crime had greatly affected the occupants who had moved once after being burgled. They now had trouble sleeping.

Rod Hunt, for the youth, said he had responded well to being placed under supervision as part of his bail.

Judge Peter Fox QC said the crimes had caused serious distress and harm to the victims.

He sentenced the youth to an 18-month detention and training order.

A schedule of similar offences were taken into account by the judge when sentence was passed.