A Darlington man has been sentenced after admitting stealing two cookers from a flat.

Aden Hammond, 23, of Pensbury Street, has started a 12-month community rehabilitation order, after pleading guilty to the burglary at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Hammond stole the cookers in March from a block of flats in Corporation Road that were being developed.

A neighbour called police after seeing Hammond climbing up a ladder to gain entry into the flats.

When officers arrived the cookers had been stolen.

Hammond made a full admissions to the police.

Laura Saunders-Jerrom, mitigating, said Hammond's benefits had been stopped prior to the incident and was suffering from depression.

She said: "He has no family, no job and no support.

"He was desperate and stole the cookers with the view to sell them on so he could buy food and get his life back in order.

"My client knows this was the wrong way to go about things. He has been taking anti-depressants and, to his own credit, he has not succumbed to drink or drugs, which many in his vulnerable situation would."

Magistrate Christine Selby told Hammond: "Burglary is a very serious offence and can carry a custodial sentence."

Hammond was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation, as the cookers were never recovered.