A JUDGE has given two teenage burglars a final chance to sort themselves out after they broke into a Lockwood house while the owner was asleep in her bed.

Daniel Bottomley, then aged 17, and 18-year-old Philip Flaherty burgled the house on Rashcliffe Hill Road during the early hours of March 20, but police arrived on the scene after reports of the duo carrying a flat screen television.

Prosecutor Nicoleta Alistari told Bradford Crown Court yesterday the two defendants were arrested that night and the TV found on waste ground.

During the burglary the teenagers had also stolen other property including a number of mobile phones and jewellery.

At the time, Flaherty, of Primrose Grove, Primrose Hill, was still subject to an ASBO imposed by Huddersfield magistrates.

Bottomley had been subject to an ASBO in the past and the court heard he had previous convictions for offences including theft and robbery.

The pair admitted burgling the house and Judge Peter Benson said the aggravating feature was it involved a night-time break-in while the occupier was asleep.

Bottomley’s barrister Alasdair Campbell said the teenager was now being kept busy by helping youngsters play football and rugby and was continuing the process of growing up.

He said Flaherty was at a critical stage of his life and an asked for an alternative sentence to custody .

Flaherty’s barrister Ruth Cranidge said he had described the offence as the biggest mistake of his life.

Judge Benson said with some reluctance he was prepared to impose suspended sentences on the two defendants.

“Normally such an offence would attract an immediate custodial sentence and that was my first thought in both your cases,” said Judge Benson.

“However the reports are positive and in both your cases the probation service feel they can work with you, but you must understand this is your very final chance.”

Bottomley was sentenced to 12 months detention, suspended for two years.

He will be supervised for a year and must abide by a three-month electronically-monitored curfew at his home on Leeds Road.

As part of the order he will also be subject to an extended activity requirement which involves a period of intensive supervision.

Flaherty had his nine-month detention term suspended for two years and he must do 80 hours unpaid work.

He will also be supervised for 12 months and must attend a thinking skills programme.