A teenage burglar who broke into the same primary school three times in two weeks has been ordered to pay the school compensation.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a nine month Referral Order and ordered to pay £500 compensation after pleading guilty to breaking into Green Lane Primary School, Green Lane, Worcester Park.

The youth was caught when police investigating a broken window at the school on June 6 found blood on the glass, which was sent for forensic examination.

The DNA identified the youth who was arrested at his home address on June 26, by detectives from Sutton’s burglary & robbery investigation team.

A DVD called the Spy Next Door taken from the school was recovered at his home. The youth admitted breaking in to the school on two other occasions, as well as an attempted break-in.

He said he had been drinking with friends when he climbed over the perimeter fence and threw a log to break a classroom window.

At Croydon Youth Court on July 17, the youth was sentenced to the referral order, which will be see the youth involved in community payback work and a programme to address his offending behaviour.