Anthony Barron, of The Ridge, appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with theft from a motor vehicle.

He pleaded guilty and admitted a second charge of attemtped theft from a motor vehicle on a spree which caused an estimated £600 worth of damage to the two cars.

The 19-year-old was also found to be in breach of a suspended sentence which he had been given for driving while disqualified.

Simon Allen, prosecuting, told the court how Barron has broken into the first car and stolen a number of cassettes before trying to break into the second car, only for the alarm to go off.

Samantha Wingfield, defending, said: "He suffers from epilepsy and atention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and had some problems with his benefits payments.

"He owed his mum and some friends money and maybe because of his educational needs he did not handle the situation in the best way.

"He is under a current community order and he is doing well at this."

Tess Szagun, district judge, activated Barron's suspended sentence, sending him to a young offenders institute for 60 days. For the two new offences she gave him 21 days in custody a piece but ordered that these run concurrently with the 60 days.