Teenage would-be burglar detained after 44th offence

Alex Murphy was ordered to be detained in Young Offenders Institution for two years after attempting to burgle a house in Walcot Gardens, Bilston.

One theory is that he targeted the premises, that had been burgled once before, because there was a high value Audi parked on the driveway, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, speculated: "If successful, the motive could have been to commit a car key burglary and take the vehicle."

But the bid was scuppered when the woman occupant was woken by the attempted break in around 5am on February 2, it was said.

Mr Jones continued: "She heard a noise from downstairs which sounded like a chopping board falling to the floor and went to investigate. When she reached the kitchen she saw two figures on the opposite side of the frosted door."

It later transpired that beading had been taken from around a window in the door with the hope of being able to remove the glass and gain entry to the premises. But the woman put the two men to flight by banging on the door.

They fled through a damaged fence panel at the bottom of the garden leaving a key clue in their wake. When police went to investigate they found a mobile phone lying by the fence.

It had been dropped by the bungling burglars as they escaped empty handed and was quickly linked to Murphy because it held pictures of him. A torch and orange screwdriver had also been discarded by the fleeing crooks who caused around £700 worth of damage.

Mr Oliver Woolhouse, defending, said Murphy had been held for three months in custody in relation to a potential prosecution that was later dropped.

The lawyer continued: "As a result of this he lost his home and his position on a college course so when he was released he had no money and nowhere to live. He fell back into his old habits although he does not accept that he intended to commit a car key burglary."

Murphy, who is now of no fixed address and has four burglaries and seven robberies among his previous convictions, admitted attempted burglary and criminal damage. The other person involved has not been traced.

The defendant was given two years detention by Judge Nicholas Webb who told him: "You have a dreadful record and have not been prepared to name your accomplice."