A TEENAGER has pleaded guilty to criminal damage and two charges of stealing from his father during a drink and drug binge.

The 16-year-old, from Darlington, admitted entering his father's house on July 17, by breaking a downstairs window, and stealing cigarettes.

He then broke into the shed and stole a tool kit.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before South Durham magistrates in Darlington yesterday.

The youth, who was already the subject of a four-month referral order, spends the weekends with his father.

The court heard that the boy's parents had split up some time ago and his father had remarried.

The court was told that the youth was vague about the crimes because he had been intoxicated.

Bruce Cunningham, mitigating, said: "When his father returned home and saw the damaged window and missing cigarettes, he assumed he had been burgled and contacted the police. However, as soon as the police charged his son with the offences, he was keen to drop the charges.

"The police, on the other hand said they would go along with the prosecution as a crime had still been committed."

The father attended court yesterday to support his son.

The court heard the teenager had been complying with his referral order.

Magistrates made the existing eight months and ordered him to pay £25 in compensation and £25 court costs.

The order will address alcohol and substance misuse.