PROPERTY worth more than £5,500 was taken in raids on four holiday chalets alongside the River Severn on one afternoon.

One of the burglars was arrested as he walked from Holt Fleet, near Worcester, towards Kidderminster, said Tim Sapwell, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

Alan Mitchell had a cut hand and police found shards of glass from the raided property in his clothing.

Mitchell, aged 20, of Bishops Close, Dudley, admitted two burglaries and handling property stolen from the other two chalets.

He also admitted allowing himself to be carried in a car taken without consent and was put on probation for two years.

Mr Sapwell said a car taken from Winterfold School, Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster, in June last year was used to take Mitchell and two accomplices to Holt Fleet.

Mitchell claimed he waited outside while the premises were broken into and then helped to remove property.

Deni Matthews, defending, said Mitchell had been in custody since February this year. He had been drawn into the offence by his companions, who have yet to appear in court.

Mitchell had been affected when his relationship with the mother of his child broke down. He was also badly affected when his brother committed suicide last Christmas.

Judge Marten Coates said that while he did not believe that broken relationships turned people to crime, Mitchell had been in and out of custody and he was prepared to give him a chance.