Damilola died after being stabbed in the leg

The 18-year-old, who was known as Boy C when he stood trial at the Old Bailey in connection with the 10-year-old's death, was one of four youths who stole �400, jewellery and a camera.

He was convicted last month at Inner London Crown Court along with his accomplice Danny Preddie, 15, who admitted the burglary.

Preddie was given a four-month detention and training sentence.

A ban on his identification was lifted by Judge Robert Prendergast, who described him as a "persistent offender".

An order banning the identification of the 18-year-old remains in place.

The judge told the two youths the break-in in Camberwell, south-east London, last May was a mean offence.

Bedsits targeted

Rejecting defence submissions for non-custodial punishments, the judge said: "Not only was it mean, but I am satisfied it was so serious that only a custodial sentence can possibly be justified for having committed it."

The property they targeted had been converted into a number of bedsits occupied by Tamil workers.

"They don't have much money and work very hard for it and maybe some of them have the additional vulnerability that they should not be in this country in the first place," said Judge Prendergast.

The youngsters were caught when police arrived after being alerted by a neighbour.

Knocked unconscious

The 18-year-old from Tottenham, north London, was captured after he jumped onto a plastic roof to escape the officers.

It collapsed and he was knocked unconscious.

Preddie, from Camberwell, was also caught a short distance away but two others escaped.

Damilola bled to death after being stabbed in the thigh with a piece of broken glass as he made his way home from Peckham Library, south-east London, three years ago.

In April 2002 Boy C appeared at the Old Bailey on murder, manslaughter and assault charges.

But he and three others were freed after Mr Justice Hooper told the jury trying them to return not guilty verdicts when evidence from a girl of 12 was ruled inadmissible.