The damage caused to the properties. Picture by Ashley Vaughan.
TWO boys, aged 12 and 13, appeared before the Isle of Wight Youth Court this morning (Wednesday) and admitted setting fire to three unoccupied homes, causing more than £175,000 worth of damage.
Both boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to three charges of arson and one offence of criminal damage to a Vauxhall Astra which took place on the same day as the blaze, in East Cowes on June 23.
The 13-year-old also admitted stealing camping equipment from the Astra and asked for a further charge of criminal damage to a Renault Clio to be taken into consideration.
The 12-year-old from East Cowes was sentenced to a 12 month referral order by the bench which also imposed a parenting order on his mother.
The 13-year-old from Cowes was sentenced to a 12 month youth rehabilitation order including 12 months of supervision and he was ordered to attend a fire awareness course. He was also sentenced to a three month curfew barring him from being out between 6pm and 6am.
No costs or compensation were ordered to be paid by either boy by magistrates. The bench told the court that any order they made for compensation would be 'derisory’ in the light of the damage caused.
• For full story see the Isle of Wight County Press on Friday, August 3.