A youth took part in a burglary which netted more than £100 worth of Christmas presents from a woman's home.
The victim returned home to discover presents had been ripped open.
Books, perfume, DVDs and towels worth £110 were taken in the raid on the house in Essex Hall Road, Colchester.
A youth court heard a patio door had been left unlocked by accident.
The burglary took place in December 2006. Police later discovered a teenager's fingerprints on a box but were unable to trace him until this week.
The 16-year-old said he went into the building with a friend Iris Marr, prosecuting, said: "He knew the other male was entering with intent to steal and he went along with that."
The Colchester youth admitted burglary.
Raphael Pigott, mitigating, said the youngster had been out of trouble ever since.
Harwich magistrates gave the youth a conditional discharge after deciding the other teenager was "probably the prime mover".
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