A BURGLAR who broke into a shop and a derelict house was jailed for 15 months yesterday.

Robert Gray, 21, of Church Street, Ferryhill Station, admitted two charges of burglary at Teesside Crown Court.

Bryan Russell, prosecuting, said Gray first targeted a newsagent's shop in Ferryhill between April 15 and 18 last year, removing a window to get in.

He said property including videos, PlayStation games, National Lottery Scratch cards, confectionery and cigarettes were all stolen.

Mr Russell said two tills were also stolen, taking the value of property missing to £4,800.

In police interview, Gray denied he had stolen the bulk of the property, claiming other people had arrived after he broke in and taken it. He said all he stole was chocolate and some magazines.

On September 10 last year, a derelict house in Chapel Row, Ferryhill Station, was broken into. Gray had pleaded guilty to the burglary.

Mr Russell said a former co-accused had been found guilty of arson after a jury found he had set fire to the property. Gray was acquitted of arson.

Aisha Wadoodi, for Gray, said the 21-year-old had served the equivalent of a 15-month sentence already as he had been on remand since September.

She said Gray maintained he had not stolen all the property from the shop and now intended to "go straight" when released from prison, where he had been taking many courses.

Judge Anthony Briggs sentenced him to 15 months and said: "You are likely to be released soon.