A Devonshire teenager admitted stealing more than $5,000 of electronics and jewellery when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Koeshon Smith, 19, of Cedar Park, pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary and one charge of receiving stolen goods.

According to prosecutor Karen King, residents of a St. John's Road home left their house at around 7.30 a.m. on June 15, but returned a few hours later only to discover that someone had broken into their bedroom by removing an air conditioner.

Belts and electronics, including a 42in flat panel television were reported missing. The total value of the missing property was estimated at $3,305.

Hours later, the residents of a Jennings Road home returned home to discover that their house had also been broken into. Jewellery and electronics were removed from the home, with a total value of $1,790.

Smith was also charged with receiving stolen property, specifically a $1,800 laptop.

Defence lawyer Graveney Bannister said the defendant was only a teenager and suffered a heart condition.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner responded: "How is it that he shouldn't go to prison because he has a heart condition, but he can break into people's houses?"

Mr. Warner ordered that Smith be remanded in custody until July 27 for sentencing so a social inquiry report can be carried out.