A 15-year-old yelled racist abuse and threatened to kill members of a family before emptying bags of dog faeces on to their doorstep, a court heard yesterday.

The Darlington youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before South Durham Youth Court, in Darlington, on charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour, damaging a front door and carpet in November last year, and burglary on February 15 this year.

The court heard that the youth was with a group of friends on his BMX bike, standing at the gates of North Lodge Park, in Darlington, when he rode over to the victims and shouted: "I am going to kill you" before riding back to the others.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said: "The victims went back into their house because they were scared. They went to the window and looked out.

"The defendant went to the dog bin in the park, opened it and pulled out a carrier bag and started to walk over to the house.

"The others walked behind him, laughing and joking.

"The defendant and his friend opened the front gate of the house and then opened the front door.

"The others were on the pavement outside. One of the victims shouted for his mother and told her two people were coming towards the house.

"The defendant tipped the carrier bag upside down and the dog dirt went all over the steps and the carpet, near the door.

"The mother of the family came to the doorstep and the defendant continued to shout racial abuse at her.

"She started clearing the mess up, but the group of youths were heard to shout more racial abuse as she did so."

The defendant, who was accompanied by his elder sister to court, also stole fishing tackle, two handbags, a gas stove, spirits and a bike, worth a total of £1,230, from a house in Stewart Street, Darlington.

The case was adjourned until March 26 when the youth will be sentenced.

Magistrates ordered a summons to force the youth's mother to accompany him to the court for his next appearance.