A TEENAGE lookout who helped a gang raid a holiday park has avoided jail.

Charlie Watts, who already has a significant criminal history aged just 19, travelled to Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Clacton looking to steal.

Richard Potts, prosecuting on Friday at Chelmsford Crown Court, said: “It was 1am on July 1 when people were woken by dogs barking and saw torch lights shining.

“Two young males were seen near a window.”

The caravan was broken into and keys to a vehicle found and used.

Items, including a wallet, vehicle keys, cash, cigarettes, mobile phone and cash are then taken.

Watts was caught after leaving a fingerprint on a new CD wrapper.

Police were then able to link the fingerprint with the already extensive file on Watts.

The teen, formerly of Church Road, Southend, admitted burglary.

It was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service he was the lookout for the gang.

Watts refused to identify the other members at court before Judge Christopher Morgan was told he is ready to change his ways.

The court heard during his latest stint on remand Watts was bullied and did not like it and does not want to go back.

Judge Morgan told Watts: "You will understand the serious nature of any burglary.

"You have no doubt gone with one individual or others.

"I read you have an association with criminally minded gangs."

The court heard the victims are now scared in their home and scared of going out at night.

Watts was sentenced to nine months in a young offenders' institute suspended for 18 months.

He was ordered to carry out 40 days of rehabilitation activity days and 100 hours of unpaid work with supervision.

If he commits any other offences in the next 18 months he will be sentenced for those and this sentence could be activated.