An teenage burglar who admitted breaking in to a home in Leigh has been forgiven by his victim after pledging to turn his life around in court.

Louis Harris, of Waldegrave, Basildon, forced entry to the woman’s home in Leighville Grove overnight between April 15 and April 16.

He was handed a two year custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Det Con Rory Scarlett said: “It was incredibly distressing for the victim to wake up to find that her home had been burgled while she was asleep and her personal items stolen.

“Harris was caught on CCTV trying to sell the phone at CEX in Basildon, although staff there realised that it was not his to part with.

“We also have him on CCTV at the store trying to sell the phone, and this helped us pinpoint him as the burglar.

“Despite this, the victim has found it in her heart to forgive Harris, who was identified in court as a vulnerable young man.

“Judge Lodge referred to the victim in this case as ‘possibly the most decent woman this court has ever seen’.

“She is a very caring lady who genuinely wishes for Harris to receive the help he needs. Her victim impact statement, which she read aloud in court, was very moving.

“I am so pleased that the victim felt so included in the whole process and that she feels she can contribute to his rehabilitation through the restorative justice scheme.”

The victim woke that morning to find her front door open and her mobile phone and day-bag missing from the living room.

It was discovered that Harris had unsuccessfully tried to sell the mobile phone at a shop in Basildon. A neighbour discovered the bag in an alley near to the victim’s home.

Harris was arrested on April 23 on suspicion of burglary and after being charged, appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court the next day.

He was remanded for sentencing at Basildon Crown Court on September 26, where he made a formal apology to his victim.

The investigation revealed that Harris’ own phone placed him near the victim’s home during the time of the burglary. He had also phoned a number of taxi companies after the burglary, one of which picked him up nearby to take him back to Basildon.