A TEENAGER sought retribution with the man he blamed for losing his job, a court heard.

Neighbours rang police when they saw 17-year-old Dean Weepers breaking a front window to gain access to a house in The Grove, Consett, County Durham, late on a Saturday night in June.

Durham Crown Court was told officers arrived and saw a figure in the front room of the house, in Oakfield Lane.

Weepers claimed he was babysitting, but he was unable to open the door as he could not find the key. He was handcuffed and searched, and a 4in kitchen knife was found in his pocket.

He claimed the man had failed to pick him up for work, for the second time, which led to him losing his job.

Jamie Adams, mitigating, said the incident was out of character, as Weepers was a hard worker with no previous convictions.

Weepers, of Pemberton Avenue, Consett, now working as a pipe layer, admitted criminal damage and possessing a bladed article.

Recorder John Muir said he was prepared to give Weepers a chance as he was a "hard worker, with a good record".

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 compensation for the window and £100 court costs