A JUDGE has asked for more information about a teenager who claims he has had a drink problem since he was ten.

Judge Tony Briggs told Teesside Crown Court yesterday that a drink problem at that age did not happen often.

He had heard how Ian Colquhoun, 19, from Darlington, blamed his criminal record on drink.

Colquhoun was thrown out of a bail hostel for being drunk and spent the last six months behind bars.

Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a girl at her Darlington home, in May, when he was drunk.

Deborah Sherwin, prosecuting, said Colquhoun forced his way into the girl's house and pushed her down on to a bed.

Her brother found him lying on top of her and when he brandished a baseball bat and ordered Colquhoun to get out, he responded glassy-eyed: "What are you on about?"

Rod Hunt, defending, said: "He has had a drink problem since he was ten.

"He told probation officers that he began drinking at the age of ten.

"The only thing that has been done for him in the past was a supervision order some time ago and a few periods of what is called a short, sharp shock.

"On bail he could not stop drinking."

Judge Briggs said: "I want some further information because the drink aspect is the problem of this matter."

Colquhoun, of Longfield Road, Darlington, was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on Monday.

After the hearing Andy Errington, head of the youth offending and community safety team in Darlington, said it was highly unusual for a ten-year-old to be addicted to drink.

"From our experience anecdotally, we see a number of young people where alcohol is an issue and a significant factor in their offending.

"At the age of ten, they may be getting drunk and into trouble, but it usually takes longer to develop a real problem," he said.