A burglar was found with a stolen iPhone clenched between his buttocks when police stopped him in the street, a court heard.

The smart phone was discovered in the unusual hiding place when teenager Moses Hall was searched by officers in Thanet.

Now the 18-year-old, of Denby Road, Ramsgate, has been locked up after admitting handling the phone and two burglaries.

Ian Foinette, prosecuting, told Canterbury Crown Court the phone had been taken on November 29 when its owner was putting out rubbish at her home.

She was pushed, her phone was taken and she saw two people running away.

"A short time later Hall was seen by police and searched and the phone was found in his underwear, actually clenched between his buttocks," Mr Foinette said.

He said Hall, who was 17 when he committed the offences, was caught as a result of an undercover police operation in Thanet.

On August 16 last year, Hall approached an undercover officer and offered him two televisions. Hall and an accomplice returned and sold a large flat screen television to the policeman for £100.

Mr Foinette said a woman living in a flat nearby saw a television being put into a van and took down the number.

In the other burglary, in Stanley Road, Cliftonville, an elderly woman's property was broken into, ransacked and jewellery and electrical items taken. Some of these items were offered for sale shortly after the burglary.

The court was told Hall had previous convictions for a public order offence and possessing cannabis.

Phil Rowley, defending, said Hall had found himself involved in a "pretty murky world".

"A short period in custody has given him a short, sharp shock and has been an educational experience for him..." - Phil Rowley, defending

He said: "A short period in custody has given him a short, sharp shock and has been an educational experience for him. He has also been the subject of a rather unpleasant assault by another inmate.

"He has responded positively to custody and is addressing his issues with alcohol and drugs. There is an opportunity of turning this particular ship around."

Judge Adele Williams said Hall had been selling goods coming in from burglaries.

"Items were being stolen to order in the first burglary and in the second an elderly and vulnerable victim was targeted because you knew she was absent on holiday," Judge Williams said.

"This is very serious offending indeed, which you engaged in because of your use of illegal substances."

Hall was sentenced to a total of 21 months in a young offenders' institution and will serve half of that before being released.