A 19-YEAR-OLD who burgled his mother's home twice was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months yesterday.

John Paul Cairns, of Cresswell Road, Grangetown, admitted three charges of burglary when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Martina Connolly, prosecuting, told the court how Cairns had first burgled his mother's home in Cresswell Road on December 20, stealing a number of DVDs.

He returned to the premises on December 31, where he stole 21 cans of lager from the garage.

While out on bail for the offences, the court heard how Cairns had then gone to the home of his former girlfriend's mother, also in Cresswell Road, where he stole two mobile phones and a gold chain.

David Lamb, in mitigation, said that drugs were the motivating factor behind the crimes, and that Cairns stole goods to fund his addiction.

Mr Lamb said Cairns, who lived at a separate address in Cresswell Road, had been estranged from his mother at the time of the offences, but was now working hard to rebuild his relationship with her.

Judge Les Spittle sentenced Cairns to 18 months in a young offenders' institution.