went on a "reckless and crazy'' housebreaking spree.

As the boys cut through her screen door the woman called out from her bed thinking visitors had arrived.

But when the thieves heard her they ran off empty-handed, Magistrates' Court heard last week.

Gerren Daniels of Harvest Lane, Hamilton Parish and Davon Marson of Deepdale Road East, Pembroke admitted attempting to break into a house in Hamilton Parish on January 8 and breaking into two other homes in the parish on April 19.

One of them was the 88-year-old woman's house. From the other, in Wilkinson Avenue, they stole a gold necklace and a silver penknife.

Daniels also admitted breaking in through the bathroom window of a home on Crystal Cave Road on March 31 and taking a Sony CD player, a Gameboy computer game with two cartridges, two chains, two keys and $150 cash.

Marson was arrested on Wilkinson Aveune on April 19 and denied taking any property. Daniels was later arrested and led Police to his home where they found the CD player and Gameboy.

Of $865 worth of stolen goods, $370 worth was recovered, prosecutor Insp.

Peter Duffy said.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said he needed to know why they began this "reckless, crazy episode''. He ordered a social inquiry and adjourned the case until July 9.