A TEENAGER who carried out a burglary to gain respect from his friends was shopped to the police after he bragged to his uncle about what he had done.

After he was arrested for the night-time break-in at the home of one of his neighbours in Darlington, Dean Burns told police: "I'm sick of being 'Boring Dean'."

The 18-year-old had never been in trouble before he went with friend and banned driver Roy Fisher to the house in Barningham Street, at about 2.30am on July 4.

A court heard yesterday that the friends had earlier seen a mobile phone in the window of the home and hatched a plan to stay up that night and go back for it.

Sarah Mallett, prosecuting, said Fisher, also 18, broke in through a window and let Burns in through the door as a couple and their two young children slept inside.

They stole two mobile phones, a computer tower, flat-screen monitor and passports - worth a total of £1,200 - and the family's Peugeot 306, which was parked outside.

Fisher drove the hatchback around the block to test his motoring skills then took it to a car park, before dumping it in Marshall Street.

Later that day, as police were at the scene of the break-in, Burns boasted to his uncle, Thomas: "There's been a burglary . . . we did a good job, didn't we?"

A furious Mr Burns called his nephew's mother to tell her what had happened, and then contacted the police who arrived to arrest the teenage friends.

"He admitted it was a joint venture and he knew what he was doing was wrong," said Miss Mallett. "He said they thought they might sell the property but also that they had done it to earn respect from his mates."

Judge Leslie Spittle branded Burns' excuse as "pathetic" and said both he and the teenager's family were appalled that he had taken part in the break-in.

Burns, of Barningham Street, was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years, with two years of supervision, and was ordered to pay £1,200 compensation after he admitted burglary and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.

Fisher, of Major Street, also Darlington, admitted the same charges as well as driving while disqualified - he was banned last September for two years - and driving without insurance.

He was given a 12-month sentence suspended for two years, with two years of supervision, and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

The judge said the teenagers' co-operation and admissions saved them from being sent straight to custody.