A TEENAGE burglar terrorised an 80-year-old woman at night in her home, then stole all the money in her bank account, York Crown Court heard.

Stephen James Martin, 18, was today starting two-and-a-half years in jail for his "callous" burglary and the "ruthless" way he dealt with his victim, Agnes Walker.

Prosecutor Alan Mitcheson said the pensioner had been sleeping in her home in the early hours when Martin forced the kitchen window of her home in Dringhouses, York, unplugged her phone, walked into her bedroom and turned on the light.

When she was startled awake, he emptied her handbag and stole her bank cards in front of her.

As he followed her about the house, he claimed he belonged to a gang who would cut off his hand if he did not steal something from her, and persuaded her to tell him her PIN numbers. Then he left with her watch and other items and withdrew £1,600 from her bank accounts, leaving her overdrawn.

The following night, with an accomplice, he broke into a house in Moor Lane, Dringhouses, and stole electrical equipment, alcohol and the occupant's Volvo.

Police later found the car abandoned in Green Lane, Acomb.

"These are really serious offences," the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, told Martin.

About the first raid, he said Martin had caused the pensioner fear and distress. He added: "After the confrontation, this is what makes it even more serious: you carried on quite callously stealing her property and following her from room to room. Then, with some ruthlessness, you got her to give you her card numbers."

He jailed Martin for two-and-a-half years.

Martin, of Lerecroft Road, Dringhouses, pleaded guilty to two house burglaries and asked for five more offences, including a third burglary, to be taken into consideration.

Tony Adams, 19, of Middleton Road, Acomb, also admitted the Moor Lane burglary. His case was adjourned for a psychiatric report.

For Martin, Geoff Parsons said he had been going through a difficult period in his life which had now ended. He was hoping to get his life back together again.

Martin had been drinking before the first raid and was ashamed of his actions.

Updated: 11:00 Tuesday, April 08, 2003