A TEENAGER who admitted posting a homemade smoke bomb through a letterbox has appeared in court.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and his accomplice, 19-year-old Grant Young, of Trafford Close, Darlington, created the smoke bomb out of a golf ball and tin foil.

They posted it through the front door of a property at Chepstow Court, in Darlington, on the afternoon of June 7, causing the door to go up in flames.

The resident put the fire out before calling the police.

Both defendants made full admissions when interviewed by police but said they had only intended to smoke out the property as a prank.

The youth pleaded guilty to arson at an earlier hearing and returned to Newton Aycliffe Youth Court today (Monday, August 4) with his parents for sentencing.

After reading a pre-sentence report on him, magistrates agreed to hand the youth – who has no previous convictions - a pre-court disposal, meaning he must work with the youth offending team to keep out of trouble.

His accomplice, Young, was sentenced to a 12 month community order with supervision and 160 hours of unpaid work last week.

He was also ordered to pay £25 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.