A BOY who drove a steamroller into a family living room escaped with a warning from magistrates.

The stunned Heath family leapt for their lives when the machine crashed into their front room as they watched TV.

It thundered into the home in Forest Hall, North Tyneside, sending masonry flying across the room,

Ken Heath 46, escaped serious injury because he got out of his armchair a split second before the wall caved in.

His wife, Anne, 43, hit out yesterday after the 11-year-old boy responsible was given a conditional discharge.

She branded the sentence "disgusting" after the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted criminal damage.

The family's home was left with a huge hole in it, and their Ford Escort was written off by the 10-tonne vehicle.

The boy appeared at North Tyneside Youth Court and was ordered to pay £55 costs.

Frances Lennox, prosecuting, told the court: "It seems that he climbed into the cab of a plant road roller and managed to start the engine.

"This steamroller quickly became out of control, careering down Lansdown Road, Forest Hall,

"It then crashed into a parked car which was, thankfully, unattended and then continued down the kerb and crashed into the front room of the house."

The boy, also from Forest Hall, admitted criminal damage. Three charges of aggravated vehicle taking, driving with no insurance and driving without a licence were withdrawn by the prosecution.

Philip Hindson, defending, said: "The vehicle had been left with the keys in it.

"One cannot help but wonder at the foolishness of someone leaving it like that and the likely consequences."

Civil servant Mrs Heath said after the case: "The sentence is absolutely disgusting. We've gone through hell."