Teenage criminal locked up for carrying out burglaries in Leeds with his 14-year-old brother

A judge told the 17-year-old defendant that he had the worst criminal record he had ever seen for someone of his age.

Leeds Crown Court heard the defendant, who cannot be identified because of his age, carried out the break-ins while he was the subject of a youth rehabilitation order for similar offences.

Louise Pryke, prosecuting, said the teenager and his younger brother broke into a garage at a property on Talbot Road, Roundhay, on January 10 this year.

The garage had been converted into a games room and the pair stole a Playstation, speakers and ripped a TV off the wall.

Three bikes worth £700 and bottles of spirits were also taken.

The defendant and his brother, along with another 16-year-old male, then targeted a house on Kentmere Avenue, Seacroft, during the night of January 22.

The downstairs rooms of the property were ransacked and muddy footprints were left on the carpets.

Miss Pryke said the people living at the property were disturbed.

A handbag containing a mobile phone was taken during the raid.

The defendant was seen as he ran from the house and was later picked out at an identity procedure.

The teenager appeared in court via a video link from Wetherby Young Offender Institution.

Young offenders in custody would normally be produced before the court for sentencing but efforts are currently being made to sentence remotely due to the coronavirus outbreak.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary and was given an 18-month sentence.

The defendant has a criminal record dating back to 2016 for offences including burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, assaulting a police officer and possession of a bladed article.

He has further convictions for assault, failing to comply with court orders and breaching criminal behaviour orders.

Andrew Pettison, mitigating, said the defendant had pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage and accepted he would be facing a custodial sentence because of his criminal record.

Mr Pettison said: "Perhaps for the first time he has realised that he can't go on behaving like this."

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said: "It doesn't need me to tell you that you have a dreadful record of committing crime.

"Burgling someone's home is very serious and by the time you will be released from this sentence you will be 18 years old.

"If you commit another burglary at someone's house the starting point for sentence will be at least three years."