Three teenagers have admitted a series of burglary and theft attempts all committed in a residential area of a town overnight last month.

The trio, one carrying a machete tucked into a sheath in the legging of his trousers, tried to enter homes and detached garages on Northbridge Park and nearby Melrose Drive, in St Helen Auckland, late on September 7 and into the early hours of September 8.

Milan Blades, 18, and two 16-year-olds appeared at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court facing a ten-count indictment arising from their mini crime spree.

Blades, who is on remand at HMP Durham, and one of the 16-year-olds, who is detained in youth custody at Wetherby, appeared via prison to court video link.

The other 16-year-old appeared in person at court having previously been granted bail.

(Image: Durham Constabulary/Google Street View) All three admitted six counts of attempted burglary, plus one charge each of burglary and attempted theft.

One of the 16-year-olds also admitted a further charge of attempted burglary, while Blades also pleaded guilty to having an article with a blade or point, namely a machete.

Cainan Lonsdale, representing Blades, told the court: “He has no previous convictions, and I would apply for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on him by the Probation Service.

“He was present throughout the majority of it, while others were trying door handles.

“It appears that the presence of the machete does aggravate the position.”

Judge Nathan Adams said it would not appear to be a case where it could be argued one or another of the defendants played a lesser or greater role.

“It does seem to me to be relatively unsophisticated, trying door handles and the like.”

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said: “He (Blades) has admitted being a nuisance overnight with two other defendants in that local area and he had this bladed article.”

Despite applications by defence counsel for the cases of the two 16-year-olds to be returned to the youth court, Judge Adams said all three would be sentenced together at the crown court.

(Image: The Northern Echo) He agreed to the request for preparation of a pre-sentence report on Blades, of Carlbury Avenue, Middlesbrough, but he said previous youth offending service reports on the two 16-year-olds could be updated.

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Judge Adams extended the bail for one of the 16-year-olds, but Blades and the other youth defendant were both remanded to remain in custody.

He told all the defendants: “In respect of all of you, I give no indication as to what the sentence might be in this case.”

All three will be sentenced at the court on November 1.