A TEENAGER who raided his former stepmother's home helped himself to jewellery and cash from a meter box.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Gareth Cooper, 18, had earlier been told he could no longer live at the home of Linda Pickering and she had taken his key from him.

Pickering broke into Mrs Pickering's Whitworth home after she had taken her daughters to school and police found a claw hammer and screwdriver there. Cooper, of no fixed address, had admitted burglary in January and had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates. He asked for six offences to be considered.

Pickering had sentence adjourned until June 16, by Judge Raymond Bennett, who remanded him in custody.

Richard Hunt, prosecuting, told the court in the three years leading up to January, Mrs Pickering had become increasingly concerned about the defendant's behaviour. She said he could no longer live at her house on Westgate.

The victim returned from taking her children to school and found entry had been forced to her home.

A mobile telephone, jewellery, and cash were missing. Police were called and took some footwear impressions. Cooper was arrested at the Salvation Army Hostel in Rochdale on February 3. He said:"I'm sorry. It was my mum's house."

Stuart Duke, defending, said Cooper had a troubled background and his life had been chaotic.

Mr Duke said Cooper's current stepmother was willing to take him in. He was not proud of himself for what he had done but now seemed to have cleaned up his act. The court faced the stark choice of jail or a combination order.