A TEENAGER who carried out a spate of burglaries to feed his drink and drugs habit has been sentenced to two years youth custody.
Shane Grainger targeted 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 in February.
The court heard that among his offences he targeted the Yorkshire Stores Tea Room on three separate occasions as well as raiding two schools in the town.
Robin Turton, prosecuting, said Grainger broke into Stokesley School and stole a video camera, digital camera and laptop computer, along with £42 in cash in October. He also took £64 from Stokesley Primary School. He also stole more than £1,000 worth of gardening equipment and bikes from a shed, as well as stealing 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 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 sum 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 young offenders' institute. 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.
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