A VENGEFUL burglar who broke into his father's home and stole his treasured guitar "to get back at him" was allowed to walk free from court yesterday.

Mark Chapman was told by a judge that he needs expert help to tackle the problems he has with his family to make sure there is no repeat of the mean theft.

Chapman sold the £1,000 Fender guitar for £300 at a second-hand shop after raiding his father Ralph's home in David Road, Stockton, on April 14.

When he was arrested, Chapman also had a computer monitor taken from a garage at the property, Sharon Elves, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court.

"Upon his arrest, the defendant said he was responsible for the burglary, " said Miss Elves.

"In interview, he said he took the guitar to get back at his father."

Days earlier, he had been asked to leave his father's house because of ongoing problems between them which the court heard stem from his childhood.

On April 13, the 22-year-old saw his father in a car in Bath Lane, Stockton, got in the passenger side and punched him in the face, Miss Elves told the court.

The following day, while Mr Chapman was staying at a friend's home, his son broke in through a rear window and searched the property for things to steal.

He drank half a bottle of cider, which he left on the kitchen floor, a sideboard had been rifled through and documents were left scattered on the carpet, the court was told.

Chapman, of Outram Street, Stockton, admitted burglary, assault and fraud by false representation, and was given a nine-month suspended prison sentence.

Judge Peter Armstrong, who also ordered him to undergo probation supervision for 18months, told him: "Your future is going to be in your hands.

"The worry is that the issues between you and your father could result in further trouble between you. With assistance, it may be that that won't happen."

Robin Denny, mitigating, described Chapman as emotionally vulnerable and said he had been deemed unsuitable for unpaid work for the community.

He said the case was somewhat unusual and added: "He is somebody who could do with a great deal of supervision and help because he has enormous problems."