TWO teenagers who admitted firebombing a mosque, a Chinese takeaway and a pizza shop were yesterday remanded in custody while they wait to be sentenced.

A judge warned Matthew Howells, 19, and Roy Fisher, 16, that all options will be considered when they are dealt with - including a spell behind bars.

Howells, of Willow Road East, and Fisher, of Major Street, both Darlington, both admitted three counts of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Fisher had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, in March, and Howells entered his pleas yesterday, moments before his trial was due to start at Teesside Crown Court.

The charges related to attacks on the Jamia Mosque, in North Lodge Terrace, Yings Takeaway, in Major Street, and the Pizza Box, in Northgate, all Darlington.

Details of the incidents, on January 14, 15 and 16, respectively, will be revealed when the pair return to court to be sentenced in about three months' time.

Judge George Moorhouse adjourned the case so probation workers can prepare psychiatric and pre-sentence reports on Howells. Similar reports have already been drawn up for Fisher.

Judge Moorhouse said: "The mere fact that I am asking for reports should not give you any reason of hope."

The teenagers were remanded back to Castington Young Offenders' Institution, in Acklington, near Morpeth, Northumberland. There was no applications for bail for either.