A YOUNG burglar and driving offender has succeeded in halving the length of his first spell in custody.

The 13-year-old received a two-year detention and training order, the maximum possible sentence, at South Durham Youth Court, in July.

But he appealed against the length of the sentence at Durham Crown Court, yesterday.

He admitted two counts of burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified and failing to stop and report an accident.

Magistrates also banned him from driving for three years.

Durham Crown Court was told he twice broke into West Deanery Farm, Bishop Auckland , while the owners were on holiday earlier this year.

In one, a computer console and games were taken, while jewellery and car keys were removed in the other.

The keys were for a Chrysler 300 car, which was then taken from a detached garage on the farm site.

The court heard it was later involved in a hit-and-run accident in which it reversed into a vehicle in Newton Aycliffe .

Liam O’Brien, responding to the appeal for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the car was later traced and forensic evidence was found linking it to the defendant.

He was arrested and made full admissions.

The youngster gave an account to police that he was with an accomplice at the farm and claimed he was not the one who entered the house, although Mr O’Brien said the details given to police suggested otherwise.

But he did, however, accept driving into the other car after performing a “doughnut” manoeuvre, which, Mr O’Brien said, the boy seemed to think was amusing when speaking to police.

Mr O’Brien said despite the boy’s age, he has 15 convictions for 19 offences, the detention and training order imposed in July was his first custodial sentence.

Nicholas Lane, for the appellant, said: “He’s 13, it was his first taste of custody, but it was richly deserved.

“What we’re saying is that as a first custodial sentence, given his age, it’s too long.”

Recorder Rodney Jameson, sitting with two magistrates, said: “He’s a very persistent young offender and the time has come that he has to face custody.

“But, we take the view for a first custodial sentence for one so young, two years is excessive.”

The sentence was, therefore, halved to one of 12 months detention and training order.