TWO teenagers who went on noisy drink-fuelled break-in raids in Greenock late at night have been spared jail.

Brandon McQuillan, 17, and Anthony Holten, 19, were caught after a startled homeowner heard banging sounds coming from her garage at 11.30pm.

The teens were subsequently charged with stealing power tools from the property and trying to force entry to a nearby convenience store.

Prosecutor Kevin Doherty told the sheriff court how McQuillan and ‘another male’ fled from the lock-up in Belville Street after the female owner and a pal went outside with a torch to investigate the noises.

The fiscal depute said: “They were confronted by Brandon McQuillan and another male.

“The woman instructed them to leave. Both males appeared to be under the influence and left. Numerous power tools were strewn around the garage, having been removed from it.” Police — who had arrived at the property within minutes — were later diverted, via an anonymous call, to the shop in nearby East Crawford Street just after midnight.

Mr Doherty said: “Officers saw Anthony Holten at the rear, clearly attempting to gain entry through a window.

“He and another male were making attempts to remove a grille by means of bodily force.” First offenders McQuillan, of Bridgend Road, and Holten, of Clynder Road, both Greenock, committed the offences on 6 and 7 November last year.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: “We’ll have a period of supervision, and some work to keep them amused.” The pair were ordered to each carry out 75 hours of unpaid work and were also placed under supervision within the community for 12 months.