A TEENAGER who took part in a burglary in his own village has been sentenced to 20 months in a young offenders’ institution.
Harry Wright (18) admitted acting as a “lookout” as other members of a gang targeted the large detached property in Churchgate.
Lincoln Crown Court heard the team escaped with costume jewellery and two gold bracelets after entry was gained by throwing a rock through a patio door.
The owners of the property, a retired couple, were away on holiday at the time of the burglary on April 20. A sophisticated alarm system fitted to the house showed the break-in occured at 11.30pm.
David Outerside, prosecuting, said the value of the stolen jewellery was £568 but the estimated cost of damage to the property caused by the break-in was £3,000.
Wright admitted to his role in the burglary when he was questioned by police about other crimes in the area.
He also asked for one further burglary and three other thefts to be taken into consideration during his sentencing.
They included a burglary in George Avenue, Gedney Drove End, where pictures and a television were stolen, and the theft of milk from a property in Broadgate, Weston.
In mitigation the court was told Wright had lived with grandparents since a very young age.
Wright, of Malten Lane, Whaplode, pleaded guilty to a single charge of burglary on April 20, this year.
Passing sentence Recorder Peter Cooke told him: “I regard it as very sad that at the age of 18 you are before a Crown Court for two burglaries and three thefts.
“You are every bit a burglar if you stand outside and act as a lookout.”