GEORGE Preston who burgled a house in Devizes is to be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court.

Magistrates sitting in Devizes on Tuesday last week said their powers of sentence were not sufficient and have referred the case to the Crown Court.

They heard that Preston, 19, stole a television, a DVD player, a video player, DVDs, tobacco and cash to the value of £922.97 from John Webb's house in Commercial Road, Devizes.

Preston, formerly of Devizes, but now living in Grants Lane, Enford, pleaded guilty to the burglary which he committed with another man between January 31 and February 2.

Preston and the other man used a door key which they found to get into the house. They stole the items from the living room and kitchen and walked out of the front door with them while Mr Webb and his wife were asleep.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, said all the electrical items were recovered after Mr Webb's nephew, Kevin Cooper, found out where they were.

Ms Sawetz said: "Mr Cooper attended the address of Mr Preston and recovered the television and video player. Mr Preston made admissions to him about the burglary and Mr Cooper attended another address and recovered the DVD player, but he did not say where that address was."

Police arrested Preston and he made full admissions. The co-accused was released on police bail.

The court heard Preston had been given a reprimand as a juvenile. He was released on unconditional bail until sentencing on a date to be fixed.