Forensic evidence put a Chelmsford teenager at the scene of a house burglary.
David Byatt's shoe prints were found near a broken patio door which confirmed he had been there, said prosecutor Andrew Shaw at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday.
Byatt, 18, of West Avenue, Chelmsford, admitted burglary at a house in Fell Christy last June and stealing £1,118 worth of property.
He also admitted handling a coat stolen from Chelmsford Grammar School a few days later. He had previous convictions.
Imposing one year youth custody Judge Ben Pearson told Byatt, "Your record last year was appalling and the house burglary, although your first, was committed while you were on bail for other offences. You quite deliberately flouted previous orders of the court. Custody is the only option to reflect your conduct and gravity of the offence."
Mr Shaw said over £730 worth of damage was committed to break into the house and there was an untidy search of the lounge and three bedrooms. The stolen coat was found on a chair at Byatt's home during a police search.
John Donnelly, mitigating, said Byatt had been drug free while in custody since his arrest in September. He said Byatt was embarrassed, remorseful and sympathetic towards his victims.
Published Monday, January 13, 2003
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