by Keith Hunt

A teenager who went on a burglary spree in a town has been sentenced to 18 months youth custody.

Frank Samuels admitted three burglaries in Sittingbourne and asked for 38 other offences to be taken into consideration.

The 18-year-old father-to-be broke into homes in Oak Road, Murston, Middletune Avenue and Key Street between January and March last year.

Samuels, of Milburne Grove, Sittingbourne, was on police bail when he committed one of the burglaries.

Of the offences considered, 28 were either burglaries or attempted burglaries.

Maidstone Crown Court heard one of the victims made a statement saying: "We are totally devastated by this incident.

"We were also burgled in 2008. We can't believe there are people in our community that would do this to anyone."

Caroline Harris, prosecuting, said Samuels and another youth were arrested after police officers saw them leaving the back of a house and putting property in a field.

Samuels co-operated with the police and identified other offences he had committed. No action was taken against the other youth.

Miss Harris said Samuels had nine convictions for 11 offences, including burglary.

Tom Allen, defending, submitted it was not necessary to pass an immediate custodial sentence.

"The most compelling reason is what has happened in the interim and his efforts to turn the corner," he said.

"We have a young man from a troubled background surrounded by drug use and offending by members of his family and peers.

"To step back from this catalogue of offences for a year at his young age is some achievement. His partner is due to have his child in May."

Mr Allen added: "Having made valiant efforts to keep out of trouble and make a clean breast of everything, is the public best served by locking him up?

"Would the public best be served by him sitting in a young offenders' institute whiling away his time or would it best be served by the imposition of a suspended sentence with conditions?

"It may be, exceptionally, he has done enough by his actions to convince the court he should be given a chance."

But Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said it had to be custody.

"Domestic burglary is a mean offence, the seriousness of which is measured not just by commercial value, but such offences involve the violation of the victim's home and goods taken are liable to have sentimental value over and above their commercial value and liable to be irreplaceable," he said.

"Such offences often have very serious ongoing traumatic effects on the victims."