A TEENAGE burglar took advantage of a front door being left wide open, stealing items worth £300.
Stephen Pearce of Alexandra Road, Grantham, admitted carrying out the burglary in Commercial Road, Grantham, in December of last year.
The 18-year-old Grantham College student was walking home from Westgate Club when he saw the open door and went inside, stealing items worth £305. The court heard the door had been left open by the homeowner’s boyfriend after he returned from a night out.
Rob Arthur, defending, said: “He was heavily intoxicated and can find no reason to establish why he committed the offence. It seems to be something out of character given he has no previous convictions. This was a random burglary with no forced entry. The door was left open.”
One of the items Pearce stole was wrapped up in Christmas paper. The teen unwrapped the present as soon as he left the house and dumped the paper.
He was arrested after his finger prints were found on the wrapping paper.
Pearce was given a 12-month community order. He must also wear an electronic tag which will be used to enforce an 8pm until 7am curfew. Pearce, who lives with his mother, must pay £150 in compensation.