TWO teenagers who helped steal £13,000 in takings from a chip shop have been jailed.

Jose Leca de Jesus and Filipi Monteiro were sentenced at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

A third man, ringleader Ricardo Costa, was last month jailed for two-and-a-half years.

The trio, along with a fourth man who has yet to be caught, broke into a flat above The Rainbow chippy in London Street, Faringdon, on July 31.

The victim and the burglars disagreed over how much was taken, but Judge Patrick Eccles set the amount at £13,000.

Entry was gained through an open window and an internal door was kicked in before two safes were taken, the court heard.

All three men admitted one count of burglary.

Leca de Jesus, 18, of Iffley Road, East Oxford, was homeless at the time and was paid £500 for his role in the offence, defence barrister Judith McCullough said.

Peter Lownds, defending Monteiro, said: “This was an offence planned by Mr Costa who had a personal working relationship with the victim and knew that money was in the house. Mr Monteiro was recruited by Mr Costa as a look-out.”

He said Monteiro, of Freshbrook, Swindon, came to England three years ago from a “broken family in Brazil” and was never paid for his role in the offence.

Both teenagers were given 12 months in a young offender institute.