A 12-YEAR-OLD boy has been given a stark warning by magistrates to stay out of trouble or face harsher penalties after he pleaded guilty to starting a serious North Yorkshire agricultural fire.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to causing the massive hay bale fire at Willow Grange Farm, in Sandholmes Lane, Sowerby, near Thirsk, by recklessly throwing a lit cigarette on Saturday, March 14, at around 5pm. 

The hearing at Northallerton Magistrates’ Youth Court today (Tuesday, April 7) resulted in the boy being given a 12-month referral order with the Youth Justice Service and a £200 fine.

The court heard the boy had gone to the hay bales to meet friends but after a falling out with some other children, had taken two drags of a cigarette before throwing it behind him.

Mitigating, Nick Woodhouse said the boy had run for help as soon as he realised the bales had caught fire.

The court heard the 2.5 acre farm houses ten pig sheds and three bungalows, but no one was harmed.

The 1,400 hay bales had an estimated value of £17,000 and a fence costing £500 was also damaged.

Chairman of the bench, Anna Ramsden JP, warned the boy to adhere to the terms of the order and to make sure he does not become a repeat offender.

She added: “We are not considering custory today but you need to make sure you don't appear before the court again.

"This is going to be hard work for the next 12 months but it is really important.”