A TEENAGE burglar has been locked up after he waved his neighbours off for a day out - then sneaked into their house to steal £1,969 worth of jewellery.

Eighteen-year-old Kevin Jones even closed the gate behind them, prosecutor Simon Rippon told Worcester Magistrates' Court.

The victim raised the alarm after she spotted footprints on her bedroom windowsill.

"Jewellery worth £1,969 was missing," said Mr Rippon.

"It was of great sentimental value. Police found fingerprints in the house which were later found to belong to him."

Jones - on licence after a spell in a Young Offenders' Institution - told police he "would never steal" from the woman as she had been a neighbour "for years".

He said his fingerprints may have been in the house because he had collected Christmas presents. A month later, he admitted burglary.

On another occasion, he stole aftershave from Boots in Worcester's High Street to sell on. A store detective followed him and a friend along the High Street.

Jones admitted this and another theft from Debenhams. He also admitted causing £350 damage to a white Ford Granada parked in Holly Mount, Rainbow Hill.

Jones, of Cherwell Close, Tolladine, interfered with the driver's door lock in a bid to steal the car, the court heard.

He also admitted another burglary, two bail act offences and driving while disqualified with no insurance.

Martin Fawlk, defending, said Jones had been "under a lot of peer pressure" when he stole the jewellery - which he sold on for just £80.

"He's now got some maturity and is capable of avoiding further criminality. His parents remain supportive."

Mr Fawlk asked the bench to spare Jones custody.

But he was sentenced to 12 months in a Young Offenders' Institution and ordered to serve the remaining 11 days of his previous sentence.