A TEENAGER who was under the influence of a Fagin-type character when he burgled a pensioner's home has been jailed.

Anthony Brown, who had already been made subject to an anti-social behaviour order, broke into the 75-year-old man's house in an early-morning raid.

Teesside Crown Court heard that the 19-year-old's parents were concerned about his behaviour and said he had fallen under the influence of another man.

Paul Newcombe, defending, said: "They feel they are at their wits' end. He has fallen under the spell of a Fagin-like figure living nearby to them, who is putting him up to mischief.

"This figure has never been identified, because the defendant will not name him.

"His life is lacklustre. He is hanging around with individuals, drinking and getting up to no good."

The court heard the teenager and another man went to the ground-floor flat of the victim, in Marton, on October 18, and tried to gain entry.

The pensioner woke up, at about 3.30am, and saw a hand through the bedroom window. When he opened the blinds, two people ran off.

Police were called and a fingerprint was found on the window which matched Brown's.

Harry Hatfield, prosecuting, said: "When he was charged he said: 'Yeah, I never went into the house'.

"The other person has not been identified."

Mr Hatfield said Brown had been released from a young offender's institution, on August 25, where he was serving a sentence for burglary, and he had been on licence when he committed the October offence.

Mr Newcombe said the defendant was easily influenced and had been drawn into a gang at Castington young offenders institute.

He said: "The longer he spends in custody, the worse it will get."

The teenager, of Gleneagles Road, Saltersgill, Middlesbrough, was jailed for a year and ordered to serve 56 days of his previous sentence, after he pleaded guilty to burglary.

Judge David Bryant said: "This was a man of 75. He was a vulnerable victim. He was at home and you were with another person.

"I accept the offence was committed on impulse."