Karl Barnes, 19, had been given a glowing progress report from Castington young offenders’ institution

Karl Barnes, 19, had been given a glowing progress report from Castington young offenders’ institution, Teesside Crown Court was told.Barnes, from South Bank, successfully completed a drug and alcohol abuse programme, and he was assessed as “polite” and “respectful”.He was arrested after he was spotted trying the door handles of five houses in Park Avenue, Teesville, after midnight on December 18. Barnes told police later: “I was off my head.”He had many previous convictions for dishonesty, and been sentenced to detention and training for robbery, the court heard yesterday.Richard Herrmann, defending, said: “He now realises it is his time to mature. He had taken drink and drugs and he has no recollection of where he was or what he was doing.”Barnes of Upper Princess Street, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal on December 18.Judge Peter Bowers told him: “It seems to me that from the letter I have got from the prison officer that you are getting a lot of help in Castington."It seems to me that when you are not in custody your compliance with any probation and intervention is intermittent.” Barnes was sentenced to 12 months detention in a young offenders’ institution.The judge added: “You will be released after half of that, and perhaps you can sort your life out.”