A TEENAGER who carried out a string of burglaries to feed his drink and drug habit has been sentenced to two years youth custody.

Shane Grainger plagued schools and small businesses in Stokesley over a four-month period, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 19-year-old, of Eastwood Villas, Seamer, near Stokesley, pleaded guilty to 13 burglaries between October last year and February.

The court heard that among his offences, he targeted the Yorkshire Stores Tea Room on three occasions, as well as raiding two schools in the town.

Robin Turton, prosecuting, said Grainger broke into Stokesley School and stole a video camera, a digital camera and laptop, along with £42 in cash in October.

He stole £64 from Stokesley Primary School after he gained entry through a skylight.

He also stole more than £1,000-worth of gardening equipment and bikes from a shed, and a mobile phone from his then girlfriend's grandparents' home.

The teenager pleaded guilty to six burglaries and asked for a further seven offences to be taken into consideration.

Graeme Gaston, mitigating, said: "These offences are something of a departure for him. He has no previous convictions for burglary.

"They were committed at a time when he was taking drugs and drinking heavily, and he was committing these crimes to fund his habits."

He added: "He became a father a short time before he was remanded into prison and is looking to turn his life around, and has already taken courses to further his education."

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, imposed a two-year custodial sentence at a young offenders' institution.

He said: "You are being sentenced for a spate of 13 burglaries over a period of four months last winter. The burglary at the house was an opportunistic theft, the other burglaries could be regarded as more nuisance, and a large number of these related to small businesses, for example raiding the Yorkshire Stores Tea Room three times during that period.

"You have no option but to go into detention at a youth offenders' institution. In total, that will be two years, and that is giving you credit for your guilty pleas and trying to make the most of your time in custody so far."