Two Devonshire teenagers who entered a neighbour's home with intent to steal were scolded by a Magistrate when they appeared in court yesterday.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: "I don't know what is going on with you young men, you know."

He grilled cousins Nigel Lionel Lee, 16, of Loyal Hill Pass, and Jason Alexander Lee, 16, of Valley Heights Road, about what led them to commit the offences.

Eventually Jason Lee said: "To find something I like."

Both teenagers pleaded guilty to entering a home on Loyal Hill Pass on July 25 with intent to steal, prowling around the property, and to possessing articles to be used in connection with a burglary, namely leather gloves.

The court heard that around 2.15 p.m. on Friday, July 25, the homeowner's daughter was watching TV and heard some sounds coming from outside the house.

The girl, who was home alone and not expecting any guests, grew worried when she heard footsteps coming from two storage areas at the rear of the property. She then saw two young men prowling around and called her father who called the Police and asked her to make a note of the boys' appearances.

The court heard the daughter was standing at the top level of the house and had a clear view of the culprits.

One of the boys, Nigel Lee, caught sight of her and ran away. Police caught up with the teenagers and questioned them about their whereabouts.

"They initially said they had come from their respective houses, however when questioned further Jason Lee told Police: "I was just trying to break into the house for the fun of it, it was our first time."

The boys were searched and a pair of leather gloves were found in their back pocket.

Both Jason and Nigel Lee's fathers were in Magistrates' Court yesterday and spoke of the general good character of their sons.

Jason Lee's father, Sidney, told Mr. Warner: "I don't know what got into him. I just don't know.

"I guess it could be the TV. It's something I wasn't even expecting, just out of the blue. I don't know what he was thinking."

Nigel Lee's father, Lionel Todd, believes his son was negatively influenced by his cousin and said: "I told him you have to think for yourself. If you have to think twice about something it's wrong. He knows that I am not into all this stupidness."

Mr. Todd continued: "I was very, very surprised by his mom saying he was down at the Police Station. I didn't even know what to say. I was dumbfounded, it was a shock to me."

Mr. Warner commended the two fathers for being present in court yesterday, but still considered sending their sons to the Co-Ed Facility.

He said he was "worried" because while Nigel Lee looked frightened, Jason Lee looked "cool (like it was) no big thing".

"You know your grandfather? He would turn in his grave if he knew you all were here today," said Mr. Warner, referring to Pastor Lee, the boys' deceased grandfather.

He ordered a social inquiry report for both Jason and Nigel Lee and ordered them to appear back in court on October 28 for sentencing.

They were both released on $2,000 bail with one surety, and told to abide by a curfew.