A TEENAGE burglar who took part in nine break-ins where property worth £20,000 was stolen has been jailed.

Martin Stokes, of Warrior Square, Ilford, Essex, was sentenced yesterday at Oxford Crown Court after admitting nine burglaries and one attempted break-in.

Jane Brady, prosecuting, said most of the 18-year-old’s crimes were committed in Aylesbury and High Wycombe, but he carried out three burglaries in Bicester – two in The Oval and one in Orchard Way. He also pleaded guilty to an attempted burglary in George Street, Bicester. All the offences took place in March last year.

Miss Brady said high-value items had been stolen such as digital cameras, laptops, iPads and jewellery, as well as property with sentimental value.

Most of the burglaries had been carried out together with 20-year-old William Connors, of Hayes, Middlesex, who was jailed for 42 months last month.

Kevin Walsh, defending, said the older man had put pressure on his client, who was far less experienced.

He said: “He got himself into a situation where he owed a drug debt of £800 and was due to get married, and fell into this behaviour.”

Judge Ian Pringle said Stokes’ burglaries had not only caused people financial loss but had left them feeling unsafe in their own homes.

He sentenced the teenager to 27 months in detention and told him to pay a £120 victims’ surcharge.