THREE boys admitted harassing a woman, making her life such a misery she moved away from the area.

A 17-year-old, a 16-year-old and a 15-year-old from Darlington, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to harrassing the woman between June 27 and August 30 last year at Darlington Youth Court, yesterday.

The 15-year-old and the 16-year-old also pleaded guilty to harrassing her boyfriend.

James Thomas, prosecuting, said the woman moved away from the area because of the boys' behaviour.

He said they were verbally abusive, making disparaging remarks about her appearance and threatened to damage her property.

They were also verbally abusive to her boyfriend and threatened to damage his car.

Mr Thomas said that when interviewed the boys accepted they had been abusive and "made the lady's life a misery".

He said: "It is not an acceptable situation to have people so disturbed about the conduct of youths they feel it necessary to move, because their quality of life and personal self esteem is effected to such an extent."

Mitigating, Stephen Andrews, said the boys never carried out their threats to damage property.

"In terms of seriousness we would not seek to minimise this, we recognise the effect their actions had, but in general terms of seriousness I would hope you will take the view it is at the lower end of the scale."

He said the boys did not know where their victims moved to and had not made any attempt to find out.

Chairman of the bench Aileen Little said: "This is pretty shameful, we feel this behaviour is totally unacceptable and very threatening indeed. These are very serious matters."

The 17-year-old was given a four-month referral order, his parents were ordered to pay £20 compensation to the victim and he was given a restraining order preventing him ever contacting her.

The 15-year-old was given a nine-month supervision order, and a restraining order preventing him contacting either of his victims. His mother was ordered to pay £40 compensation and she was given a three-month parenting order. The boy was also given an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo).

They adjourned sentencing for the 16-year-old for reports to be drawn up, but warned him he could expect a custodial sentence. He will be sentenced on January 23.

Darlington police and the borough council's housing department worked together to apply for the Asbo from the court. Sgt Paul Robinson, of Darlington police, said: "The boy's behaviour was such it could not be allowed to proceed, the Asbo was needed to protect other residents that live in the area."