A teenager broke down and confessed his crime to his victim's daughter.
The 17-year-old would probably never have been caught had he not been overcome with grief, a court heard.
Sitting at Harwich Youth Court yesterday, magistrates heard the teen stole jewellery valued at £8,000 from a house in Colchester, last Wednesday.
David Bryant, prosecuting, said: "He later approached the victim's daughter, who he knew, and broke down and confessed to the burglary.
"If he had not done that, it's doubtful the case would have been resolved because he has been in the house before and his fingerprints were there already."
The teenager admitted the burglary and sentencing was put off so reports could be prepared. The bench heard £3,000 worth of goods were still missing.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, September 15, 2005
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