AN 11-year-old boy admitted stealing alcohol for a dare when he appeared at Darlington's youth court yesterday.
The youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was given a four-month referral order and made to pay £35 in court costs.
His mother was given a six-month parenting order.
The court heard the boy stole a can of lager from Bells Stores, in Darlington, after his friends dared him to take it.
When he left the shop, he was approached by a member of staff who led him back inside.
However, the court was told, when the shop worker went to call the police, the boy escaped through the store's fire exit.
The court decided to give a four-month order after it discovered this was not the boy's first offence.
He has previously been found guilty of criminal damage and theft.
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