A FORMER drug addict and a teenager have admitted stealing goods worth nearly �1,000 during a burglary at a Felixstowe house.

A FORMER drug addict and a teenager have admitted stealing goods worth nearly �1,000 during a burglary at a Felixstowe house.

Kye Chilton and his 17-year-old accomplice, who can not be named because of his age, made off with a television, a mobile phone, four cameras and a pair of binoculars after breaking into the property in Hall Pond Way.

Both admitted burglary when they appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court. The youth also admitted possessing a small amount of cannabis.

The court was told the value of the items taken was estimated at �975 and that the burglary had taken place at the home of a retired 58-year-old man on September 26 last year.

Chilton, 20, of Selvale Way, Felixstowe, and the teen were spotted on CCTV near the house prior to the burglary and were later captured on film carrying large black bags.

Both were arrested in October.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said Chilton had a lengthy list of previous convictions.

But Dino Barricella, mitigating, said his client had turned his life around since the burglary, almost eradicating his �20-a-day drug habit and enrolling on a Learn Direct course in numeracy.

The youth, who has only one previous conviction, fully admitted the burglary in interview.

The court was told he had endured mental health problems and had spent time as an out-patient at St Clements Hospital in Ipswich.

Chilton, who lives with his father, was given a 20-week prison term suspended for year and ordered to pay �100 compensation. He was tagged and told to remain at home between 9pm and 6am for three months.

He was also warned not to contact his co-defendant or any of his family.

District judge David Cooper told Chilton: “Try to be good - if that's possible.”

The youth was ordered to pay �100 compensation, told to complete 40 hours' unpaid work in the community and was given a rehabilitation order for 12 months.

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