TWO teenagers, one of whom broke into an elderly woman's home and stole items, before the other pawned them off at a second hand goods store, have been spared jail.

Kyle Beard, of Wantage Road, Didcot, had already admitted one count of burglary, and Dylan Mainard, of Rock Close, Carterton, admitted one count of handling stolen goods and another of fraud by false representation.

Both appeared at Oxford Crown Court to be sentenced for the offences on Thursday of last week.

Beard, 18, broke into the address at Richmere Road, Didcot, on May 8 , the court heard, while an elderly woman was home in her lounge but had such poor hearing that she was oblivious to the break-in while it took place.

Mainard, 19, then sold the ill-gotten gains the following day at a second hand shop in Didcot, having been captured on CCTV, before both later admitted their role in the break-in and the selling of stolen goods.

In mitigation, Gordana Turudiga-Austin said that her client; Beard, accepted that he had made 'a huge mistake' for his part.

Peter Du Feu said that his client, Mainard, also regretted his actions.

Addressing Beard, Judge Maria Lamb said: "To characterise this as a huge mistake on your part I don't think reflects the extent of the damage you have done here.

"It was a completely despicable act that you did to creep into somebody else's house while an elderly woman was there, that is more than a mistake."

Beard was given a 14-month jail term suspended for 18 months and must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as be subject to a curfew between 7pm and 7an for three months.

He must also pay costs of £200, compensation of £100 and a victim surcharge.

Mainard was made subject to a community order to include 120 hours of unpaid work and a one-month curfew between 7pm and 7am. He must also pay £200 costs and a victim surcharge.