TEENAGERS broke into elderly people’s home before fleeing in the middle of the night, a court heard.

Callum Giddins and Rannan Dewi were 18 and 17 at the time when they broke the handle off a window and attempted to burgle the home in Ferndown.  

Prosecutor, Laura D’Alessandro, told Bournemouth Crown Court on November 19 that the two defendants were caught by police along with a third man.

Giddins pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, but Dewi maintained his innocence until he was convicted after a trial.

On June 17, 2022, residents at Apple Tree Grove were disturbed in their sleep at around 12.30am when they heard noises from the spare bedroom.

One resident, aged 75, made her way to the room when she heard two people leave from the garden.

The bedroom door was ajar and a nearby garden bench was broken before the victim called the police.

Officers found the window handle had been removed and marks on the side of the garage.

While searching the surrounding area, officers found Dewi and Giddins, along with another man, on Golf Link Road.

They gave no excuse for their whereabouts and were searched by police, who found Giddins with a multi tool, gloves and a drill along with Dewi possessing a rucksack and a butter knife.

Police forensics later revealed Giddins’ DNA on the window frame, the handle and the roof while Dewi’s DNA was found on the side and front edge of the roof.

Dewi as described to be of previous good character while Giddins has nine previous convictions for 21 offences.

Ms D’Alessandro argued that the forensics indicated that Giddins took a leading role in the burglary.

Amber Athill, representing Giddins, said there is no proof of the defendant having a leading role and that there is “nothing to indicate who led the operation”.

She added that the group did not know anybody was home at the time of the offence, and that Giddins was sofa surfing and relying on drugs.

The defendant is currently unable to work after suffering a leg injury from a car accident.

Kate Davies, representing Dewi, said the defendant played a lesser role in the burglary and is “easily led”.

She said he has been in care since he was seven years old but is now working and earning £1200 a month.

Judge William Mousley KC sentenced Dewi, 20 and of Poole, to a 12-month community order for burglary with intent to steal.

He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1000 in costs.

Giddins, 21 and of Wimborne, was sentenced to 34 weeks in a young offenders institute suspended for 18 months for burglary with intent to steal and going equipped for burglary.

He must complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £150 in costs.