TWO teenagers police believe continued to search a house despite finding the owner dead were yesterday sent to a detention centre.

Jordan Anderson, 18, of Wolsey Road, Oxford, Andrew Reilly, 18, from Lowestoft and a 17-year-old who cannot be named were sentenced yesterday after admitting conspiring to burgle the home of Freda Timms, in Marston, Oxford.

Mrs Timms' body was found in her semi-detached home in Edgeway Road in November.

After finding evidence of a break-in, police investigated what had killed the 87-year-old.

A post-mortem examination showed the cause of death was a combination of heart disease and hypothermia.

Reilly was handed an 18-month detention and training order and the 17-year-old was given a 12 month detention and training order.

Anderson was ordered to serve 150 hours' community service.

Last night, Det Sgt John Linsdell, of Oxford police's burglary team, said: "This was a particularly unpleasant offence where it is likely that the burglars continued to search for valuables despite discovering that the occupant was deceased and still present in the house.

"Freda Timms was elderly and she lived independently.

"The case was particularly distressing for her relatives and was met with shock and disbelief by the residents of Marston."

Mrs Timms was discovered by police after neighbours and a carer became worried.