A TEENAGE heroin addict who committed two sneak-in burglaries was told yesterday he was lucky not to go to prison.

Graham Forbes, 18, of Berry Avenue, Trimdon Grange, County Durham, admitted two burglary charges, at Teesside Crown Court.

Two further charges of burglary and theft were taken into consideration by the court.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, told the court Forbes had sneaked into the home of Lesley Ellis, while she was upstairs on January 23 this year and stole her handbag and purse from the kitchen.

She said that on February 18 he had then again sneaked into the house of Joan Coates, while she chatted with a friend in the living room, and again stole a handbag and contents, including a purse.

Paul Cleasby, for Forbes, said his client had been addicted to heroin for about 18 months, but with the support of his family had come off of it. He said his client had genuine regret for what he had done and could not believe the depths his behaviour had "sunk to".

He said he was due to go back to work as a builder's apprentice soon after suffering a broken hand.

Judge Les Spittle said Forbes had never been before the courts before and had supportive parents, and if he had "any sense" Forbes would let them help him. He was sentenced to 100 hours of community punishment, and a rehabilitation order for two years and ordered to undertake a citizenship programme.