A 13-YEAR-OLD boy avoided prison yesterday after he was told he had one of the worst criminal records seen by magistrates in the youth court.

He was ordered to be electronically tagged to ensure he stays at home in Darlington during a six-month curfew, from 8pm to 7am each day.

He was also sentenced to a two-year supervision order after he admitted his part in a burglary, and his mother was made subject to a six-month parenting order to help control her son.

Darlington Youth Court heard how the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, initiated a break-in at a house in Melland Street while the owner was away.

James Thomas, prosecuting, said the boy was throwing stones at the window and when one broke, he reached inside and stole a mobile phone.

Magistrates heard that he then told some older teenagers about the empty property, who returned with the boy and stole £1,092 worth of goods.

The boy was the last of four teenagers to be sentenced for the offence.

Christopher Slater and Richard Green, both 18, and of Melland Street, were each sentenced to four months in a young offenders' institute after they admitted burglary.

Another youth received a four-month referral order.

Steven Andrews, in mitigation, refuted prosecution claims his client was the instigator, and said that because of his troubled background, he was easily led by the others.

He said: "He allowed himself to be dragged into a situation."

Mr Andrews said his client visited a psychiatrist every fortnight and was on medication. He said locking him up would only increase the risk of him offending.

Magistrate's chairman Denness Garaway said the boy's record, which included two robberies, criminal damage, assault, carrying an offensive weapon and breach of previous orders, was one of the worst he had seen in the youth court. He said: "This is a shocking record. It is disgraceful, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. This is absolutely your last chance."

He was also ordered to pay £20 compensation and £10 costs.