A serial offender, since the age of fourteen, has been given a sentence of two and a half years for ripping out the insides of his privately rented flat.

In September 2013 he and his partner moved into the flat in Stockton and then within two weeks proceeded to destroy the property. What also came to light was the fact that the landlord had given the couple £200 to wallpaper and decorate their "home".

Instead they proceeded to pull up all the floorboards to take out the copper piping, they also ripped the sink from the bathroom wall and yanked out the kitchen work top. Needless to say they destroyed the water and central heating system and having accomplished their handiwork they promptly disappeared.   

The Crown Court at Teesside heard that the couple were not satisfied by their actions as they then went onto steal from another property.

The court heard that the career criminal had 32 previous convictions on his record, including burglaries since the age of fourteen.

His partner was awarded a thirteen month sentence which was suspended as the judge felt she had "some potential".

She was given a 240 hour community order to carry out, it has been reported that the couple are no longer an item.