A TEENAGE builder who stole jewellery from the house where he was working has been told by a judge to stay employed for three months or face jail. Charlie Gooderson, 19, appeared at Peterborough Crown Court last Wednesday after admitting burglary at a h

A TEENAGE builder who stole jewellery from the house where he was working has been told by a judge to stay employed for three months or face jail.

Charlie Gooderson, 19, appeared at Peterborough Crown Court last Wednesday after admitting burglary at a home in Ramsey Forty Foot.

The court heard how Gooderson had entered a house in Windsor Drive using a key given to his boss to allow workers to use the downstairs toilet.

However, once inside, Gooderson took two sovereign rings, worth £800, from an upstairs bedroom.

Tim Brown, prosecuting, said the burglary had taken place on July 5 when the homeowner, David Standbridge, 53, had employed Ramsey Glass to build him a conservatory.

When Mr Stanbridge and his wife, Carol, were at work they left a key for the builders. Later that night, Mr Stanbridge received a phone call from his son saying some property was missing.

In an interview with police, Gooderson, of Paynels, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, said he did not know why he had taken the rings.

And when confronted by his employer, Gooderson initially denied taking the jewellery but minutes later confessed.

The rings were returned to their owner and Gooderson was sacked.

Nicola Devas, defending, said: "He had not asked for a key and did not expect to be given one and he is thoroughly ashamed of what he did.

"He realises he was put in a position of trust but temptation simply got the better of him."

She said he had not committed an offence for a number of years and this showed his criminal activity "had tailed off".

Judge Sean Enright said: "I have read the victim statement and the homeowner's anger and distress is all too plain."

In deferring sentencing until May 13, Judge Enright told Gooderson to stay employed until then or face going to jail.

"You are advised to keep work and not to reoffend. If you demonstrate your willingness you will avoid prison. If you do not, you could go to jail for 15 months.