A TEENAGER stole from a friend's house as revenge for an alleged theft, a court heard yesterday.

The 16-year-old, from Darlington, took a mobile phone and cordless drill from the house because he believed the homeowner's son had stolen from him, the town's youth court was told.

Ciaran Grogan, prosecuting, said the boy, who had police warnings for theft matters, had been caught stealing by another friend in the house on October 16 last year.

Stephen Andrews, in mitigation, said the families had since patched up their differences and all items had been recovered.

The teenager admitted to the theft and one charge of failing to surrender to custody.

He was given a four-month referral order, plus £50 costs.