TEENAGE burglar Steven Peachey climbed through the window of his sister s home and stole cash and tobacco – including a £20 note belonging to his one-year-old nephew. He then sent a text message to his sister Rachel admitting what he had done, and she tol
TEENAGE burglar Steven Peachey climbed through the window of his sister's home and stole cash and tobacco - including a £20 note belonging to his one-year-old nephew.
He then sent a text message to his sister Rachel admitting what he had done, and she told him he must hand himself over to the police.
Eighteen-year-old Peachey appeared before Ely magistrates on Thursday, and admitted burglary, stealing £50 worth of property.
Prosecuting, Emma Dmitriev said Rachel Peachey went to the pub with her partner on June 15, and then remembered she had left her kitchen window open.
"She called her brother and asked him to shut the window from the outside," she said. "He went to the address, and says he wanted to use the toilet, so climbed through the window.
"He searched the kitchen and stole money and tobacco, along with a £20 note belonging to his one-year-old nephew.
He left the address and shut the window, and then admitted to Rachel, via a text, what he had done."
Mitigating, Jacqui Baldwin said Peachey, of Wheatsheaf Close, Ely, had consumed "a few drinks" before the burglary.
"His sister told him that if he did not hand himself over the police he would not see his nephew, so he went to the police and admitted what he had done," she said.
"There was no damage caused, and no ransacking. He took an opportunistic approach."
Peachey is now banned from his sister's home. When he approaches the property, his sister goes outside to talk to him, and arrangements are being made for him to contact his nephew.
The teenager, who is estranged from his parents, was given a two-year conditional discharge and told to pay £50 compensation and £60 costs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here