A top student burgled the home of his friend's family while they were on holiday.

Joshua Kazarema had stayed with his pal Gabriel Walmsley many times, sharing meals and even having his clothes laundered there.

The 19-year-old repaid the family's kindness by stealing a key and letting himself into the house in Park Crescent, Brighton, where he stole a precious ring and cash belonging to the family's children.

But he was caught after he blundered and left behind a t-shirt he was well known for wearing.

The boys had met at Varndean College, Brighton, where Kazarema secured 11 A-grade GCSEs and three As and a B at his A levels.

He had been due to take up a place at the prestigious Central Saint Martins College in London, where fashion designer Alexander McQueen, design guru Sir Terence Conran and painter Lucian Freud all launched their careers.

Instead he is beginning an 18 month sentence in a young offender institution after appearing at Hove Crown Court.

The court was told how Kazarema was doing an art foundation course and working part-time when he lost his job and the flat that went with it last August.

Ann Toynbee, prosecuting, said the youngster knew the Walmsleys were going away and stole a door key from his friend.

She said: "The family went away on August 16 and returned to their home on September 1.

"When Richard Walmsley went in he could see things inside the house had been moved.

"A takeaway carton that had not been there when they left was found.

"They recognised a t-shirt found by the front door as one belonging to their son's friend Josh Kazarema."

They discovered that a £1,000 platinum and diamond ring was missing and the children's money boxes, which contained £360, had been raided.

Bank cards and building society account books were later found in a builder's skip near the family's imposing three storey townhouse, which is the former home of Victorian paleontologist Thomas Davidson.

Detective Constable Chris Hike, who investigated the case, said: "The family felt sorry for him and welcomed him into their home.

"He took advantage of that trust and took their treasured possessions leaving them distraught."

Kazarema, of York Place, Brighton, admitted burglary and theft when he appeared before Brighton magistrates on September 17.

He asked for one offence of fraudulent use of a bank card to be taken into consideration when he was sentenced yesterday.

Julia Smart, defending, said: "He is a very talented young man in many areas.

"He became homeless as a result of losing his part-time job in August.

"He knew his good friend Gabriel was going away and took the key while he was round at his house.

"He said he wanted somewhere to lay his head for a few days while he sorted himself out.

"He felt he had nowhere else to turn and acted completely out of character."

"He has written a letter to the Walmsleys apologising for his behaviour and is keen to compensate them for their losses."

Recorder Ian Wilson sentenced Kazarema to 18 months in a young offender institution.

He said: "This was a particularly mean offence against people who had helped you out in the past."