TWO teenagers have admitted starting a barn fire which caused £245,000 worth of damage and led to the death of 14 cattle.

Northallerton Youth Court heard the two youths, a 13 year-old-girl from Bedale and a 14-year-old boy from Darlington, who cannot be named for legal reasons, thought the fires had been put out, but fled the scene when they realised they had taken hold.

The court was told the two, who admitted arson, were part of a group of seven who had gone to the barns in Bedale Road, Aiskew, Bedale, on the afternoon of Sunday, March 1.

Melanie Ibbotson, prosecuting, said: “Fires were started deliberately by using lighters to pick up pieces of straw which were set alight and dropped on the floor of the barn. Also the Crown's case is that bales of straw were moved around. Ultimately they said they thought that the fires had been put out.

“The youths moved away, but when they returned sometime later they realised the fire had got out of control. They were seen shortly after the incident at a bus stop and asked if they had any involvement and all said 'no'.”

Mrs Ibbotson said when the two were interviewed later they admitted having three or four lighters between them, and both had admitted starting fires. They said they had panicked and couldn’t contact the emergency services because there was no battery left on their phones.

“During the course of the evening, extensive damage was caused, one bull died at the scene and ultimately 14 died had to be put down, £245,000 of damage was caused which includes the damage to the barns, loss of straw and animals,” added Mrs Ibbotson.

Farmer Sam Webster who rented the barn said the blaze had had a huge impact on his health and his business. While insurance covered a large part of the damage, the court was told there was still around £24,000 which was not covered.

In an impact statement read to the court Mr Webster said:”I had to go through the trauma of seeing my cattle slowly suffer, I had to get someone in to shoot some and had to watch others dying.”

He said he swung between being angry at the youths who started the fire and feeling sorry for them because they were so young.

“I did think why should I bother to build the business up for someone to destroy it,” he added.

Chairman of the magistrates, Anna Ramsden, adjourned the case for sentencing until June 2 so reports could be prepared.

She told the teenagers: "This is a very serious offence, however it is not what is known as a grave crime and neither of you have been in trouble before, therefore the law says you will not go to prison.”

A 14-year-old boy from Northallerton pleaded not guilty to arson at the barn. A trial date was set for September 18.