A TEENAGER who told his mother he was staying with a friend was actually breaking into a Bedford camper van, a court was told.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted interfering with the vehicle, which was parked in Coundon, overnight between October 19 and 20.

Newton Aycliffe Youth Court was told police were called when the owner of the vehicle reported it had been broken into through the front passenger side window.

The youngster also asked for a further incident, a day later, in which a tin of spray paint was stolen from the van, to be taken into consideration.

A charge of attempting to steal the vehicle was withdrawn.

Clive Booth, defending, said: “He told his mother he was staying at a friend's house. Although he friend was with him when this was going on, he was not staying at his friend's house.”

The court was told the youth had responded well to working with the youth offending team when he had previously got into trouble.

He was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order, supervised for six months and with a requirement for seven days' activities.

He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the camper van owner and a £15 victim surcharge.