Teenager avoids jail

Daniel Cunningham, 18, was also found in possession of a letter addressed to the victim when police carried out a drugs raid four days later at an address in London Road.

Cunningham, of Davis Close, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods when he appeared at Hove Crown Court.

The court heard he has 21 previous convictions for 37 offences including burglary and taking a vehicle without consent and was made the subject of an ASBO three years ago.

Prosecutor Amy Packham told the court a burglary was carried out at the home of student nurse Kim Hopkins September 6.

She said: "Mrs Hopkins left her address in Grange Court Drive secure when she left for work in the morning with her children.

"At about lunchtime her cleaner, who had a key to the property, arrived at the house. She saw that there was broken glass on the porch floor.

"She rang Mrs Hopkins straight away and she returned home to find an untidy search had been made of the entire house and two sheds in the back garden.

"A number of items were stolen including electrical equipment, jewellery and cash. Also stolen was a credit card and a letter addressed to Mrs Hopkins.

"Four days later a drugs warrant was executed at an address in London Road in Bexhill.

At that stage a search was conducted of the premises.

"A Mr Perry opened the door but Cunningham was in one of the bedrooms. When a search of that room was conducted police found a coat hanging on the door.

"In the pocket of the coat was a Nationwide account credit card in the name of Mrs Hopkins.

"That was seized and also in that pocket was a letter in relation to an Internet password that was addressed to Mrs Hopkins - both proceeds of the burglary.

"The coat was seized and when asked whose it was Cunningham replied, 'It's mine'."

Cunningham was arrested and taken to the police station and the stolen goods were identified as belonging to Mrs Hopkins.

He made no comment in interview and was later fined 50 for cannabis found in his possession during the drugs raid.

Defending, Rebecca Upton told the court Cunningham was originally charged with burglary although this was later dropped.

She said: "He was arrested for this matter perhaps in unfortunate circumstances for him. He was visitor to the address where the drugs warrant was executed.

"He was arrested in relation to a small amount of cannabis before the items were found in his jacket.

"He fully accepted that it was his coat and the items were in it and, of course, that he should not have had them.

"He was given the items by a friend but is not willing to disclose the details of that person.

"He says he had the items for approximately three day but did not use the credit card."

Judge Richard Hayward gave Cunningham a Community Order with a supervision requirement for two years and 200 hours' community service.

He said Cunningham had an "appalling" record and was a "thoroughly dishonest young man".