A TEENAGER set fire to an 82-year-old woman's hair to prove that he wasn't boring.

Phillip Wooton set fire to Elizabeth Collins's hair on a train after a friend accused him of being dull.

When Mrs Collins asked Wooton why he had done it, he said: "Because I felt like it."

Wooton, 18, of Rivermede, Fatfield, in Washington, Wearside, is facing jail after pleading guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

Sunderland Magistrates' Court heard how the attack happened as Wooton and a friend were travelling to Sunderland on the Metro on June 18.

The court heard that Wooton walked to the back of the carriage, where Mrs Collins was sitting with a friend, took out a cigarette lighter and set fire to the grandmother's hair.

Paul Anderson, prosecuting, told the court: "There seems to have been some discussion between him and his friend and it appears he took exception to his friend calling him boring."

Shocked passengers rushed to the pensioner's aid and managed to put out the flames, saving her from serious injury.

Mrs Collins was left terrified by the attack and is still too frightened to use the Metro.

In a statement, she said: "I felt shocked and disgusted about what happened to me. My stomach is still in knots and I have sleepless nights about the whole incident."

Kate Meek, defending, said her client had no previous convictions and had handed himself in to police after the story appeared in local newspapers.

She said Wooton could not recall the incident as he was drunk, but accepted it "must have been him".

Miss Meek said Wooton had an alcohol problem, but had not drunk since the assault. He had also apologised to his victim, she said.

The maximum sentence the magistrates could have imposed was six months.

As they felt that was not long enough to reflect the seriousness of Wooton's offence, sentencing was referred to the crown court.

Wooton was released on unconditional bail and will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on a date to be decided.