A TEENAGE burglar who raided two neighbouring houses in one night was ordered by a judge yesterday to be electronically tagged to protect the public.

The tag, to be fitted to Robert Sargent, 17, will make sure that he stays in his home from 7pm to 7am. He was also given an 18 months community rehabilitation order.

Judge Peter Armstrong said that for three months Sargent, of Norby Estate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, who pleaded guilty to two burglaries, would be under virtual house arrest.

Sargent, who had previous convictions, was arrested after police found his fingerprints on the window of a burgled house, Teesside Crown Court was told.

He also admitted burgling a house a few doors away, in Front Street, Sowerby, near Thirsk, on the same night of May 26, said Christine Egerton, prosecuting.

Both families were asleep and Sargent stole a briefcase and £2 cash from one house. He searched the ground floor of the other but took nothing.

Stephen Constantine, defending, said his parents were doing their best to stop him re-offending.