A TEENAGER who burgled two Bradford homes at night, making off with cash, valuables and car keys, has been spared an immediate custodial sentence.

Frankie Faulkner got into the houses through open windows and made an untidy search while the families with young children were sleeping upstairs, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Faulkner, of New Cross Street, West Bowling, Bradford, admitted burgling an address in Hastings Avenue, Marshfields, on October 25, and a property in Lindley Road, Little Horton, six days later.

Prosecutor Stephen Wood said Faulkner, who had just turned 18 at the time, was part of a group when he committed the offences.

He unlocked the front door of the first house to let in his accomplices and the gang got away with £60 in cash, a laptop computer, an iPad, a phone, coats and the keys to two cars.

Mr Wood said that a couple and their three children were in the house at the time.

The intruders tried to start a black BMW parked outside and when they failed, they did £1,000 damage to it by forcing open a compartment to steal more money.

A silver Vauxhall Vectra, also belonging to the household, was started and moved forward a short distance.

The burglars then fled on foot taking the keys to both vehicles.

On October 31, Faulkner was part of a group that raided the second property while a couple and their four young children were in bed.

The burglars got away with £100 in cash and the keys to a Toyota Corolla that was driven away and crashed into a wall.

Mr Wood said £1,100 damage was done to the car.

Faulkner was arrested when his fingerprints were found on the windows he broke in through.

He made no comment to all questions put to him by the police.

His barrister, Anne-Marie Hutton, said that the householders were not disturbed by the burglars.

Judge Peter Benson read reports from the probation service and a doctor.

He said Faulkner was easily led and pressured by more sophisticated offenders.

He sentenced him to 16 months detention in a young offender institution, suspended for two years, with a three month curfew order and a rehabilitation activity requirement with the probation service.

Faulkner was banned from driving for six months for taking a vehicle without consent.

Judge Benson told him it was disgraceful behaviour.

"You can consider yourself very lucky not to be sent straight to custody," he said.