Teenager, 19, blames online gambling for burglaries

10:40am Saturday 6th September 2008

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An Euxton teenager who became addicted to on-line gambling got into debt and ended up burgling houses in his village.

Preston Crown Court was told that Richard Kellett, 19, who came from a respectable family, had been to gamblers anonymous to address his addiction.

Kellett, 19, of Hawkshead Avenue, Euxton, near Chorley, had been committed to the Crown Court for sentence after pleading guilty to two burglaries.

He asked for ten other offences of theft and burglary to be taken into consideration.

Mr Nigel Booth, prosecuting, told the court that on June 23 a house on Bredon Avenue, Euxton was burgled.

An X box games console, games, £15, a mobile and two ipods had been taken valued at just over £1,000.

The game station was later sold at a Chorley shop by another teenager, who named Kellett as being involved.

When Kellett was interviewed, he admitted another burglary on Regency Gardens, Euxton, in April when a laptop and door keys were taken.

He then assisted police with the other offences that he asked to be taken into consideration.

Mr James Hawks, defending, said Kellett had co-operated with police and his detention had come as a relief.

He planned to go to college to start his "A"

levels.

"The offences arise because of an addiction to on-line gambling that has left him in debt," said Mr Hawks.

Recorder Graham Wood QC said Kellett was a bright young man who had blighted his prospects by the offences.

The judge said burglary was a scourge for decent people.

Kellett was given nine months detention, suspended for two years, 12 months supervision, 120 hours unpaid work and an attendance centre order for 15 hours.