A TEENAGE burglar who raided his grandfather's home to steal the keys to the local church has been sentenced to 15 months' detention.

Judge Denis Clark told 19-year-old Christopher Collins that his behaviour had been mean and despicable.

After stealing the keys, Collins used them to break into St Mary's Church, Eastham, where his grandfather was a church warden, and stole the week's collection, totalling £890.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Collins, who had been living rough, carried out 10 burglaries in Wirral.

Five occurred in Woodyear Road, Bromborough, two of them at his grandfather's home.

At one house, he just stole a plate, a knife, a loaf of bread and some butter, said Mr Stuart Clare, prosecuting.

His victims also included Port Sunlight Cricket Club, Christ the King School in Bebington and Thermal Ceramics in Tebay Road, Bebington.

Collins, a Wirral man of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to four burglaries and one theft and had eight similar offences taken into consideration.

Mr David Aubrey, defending, said that Collins, who had admitted his offending, had not served a custodial service before.

He had used the money he had stolen for food and clothing. Since being on remand at Lancaster Farm he had recognised his wrong doing and had some insight into the implications of his behaviour.

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