A teenager who broke into his mother's home three times has walked free from court.

Louis Kimm, 19, was given a three-month prison sentence but was released immediately because he was locked up on remand for five months.

Kimm first broke into the Chadwell St Mary's home of his mum, Theresa, while she was on holiday. He took an Abbey National credit card which was used at an off-licence.

He again burgled the house while she was at work and stole a quantity of jewellery, said Stephanie Farrimond, prosecuting at Basildon Crown Court.

On the third occasion, the teenager got into the premises by climbing through an open fanlight window. He took £70 but was later caught through his fingerprints.

Miss Farrimond said Kimm, of Tasmania House, Tilbury, was also caught by security staff while shoplifting in Debenhams store, Lakeside. The stolen property was recovered.

His barrister, Margaret Blair, said the offences happened some time ago and Kimm and his mother were now trying to patch up their relationship. Miss Blair added: "They are talking to each other again and she has been writing to him while he was on remand in custody.

"Happily, there is no bad feeling between the two of them."

Kimm was told by Judge Roger Brooke, QC: "These burglaries at your mother's home amounted to petty theft You are now more mature and I want to give you one last chance to rebuild your life."

Kimm admitted being in breach of conditional discharge in respect of the shoplifting and the burglary at his mother's home.

Published Thursday September 2, 2004

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