A TEENAGER who declared his undying love for his girlfriend by scratching her name on a police station wall has landed himself in court.

Brian Cuthbert, 18, had a long wait inside a Sunderland police station for his partner to be released from custody.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard that after being overcome by boredom and feelings of desire for her, he decided to etch a declaration of true love on one of the inner walls.

Tony Hawks, prosecuting, told the court: "On November 18, he was at the police station awaiting the return from custody of his girlfriend, who was under arrest.

"Bored of the wait and no doubt overcome by feelings towards her, he chose to scratch her name on an interior wall of the police station, saying that he loved her. This gave rise to his immediate arrest."

Just a few days later, Cuthbert broke into a portable building at Wearside College and made off with £500 worth of equipment. He was also stopped when trying to make off with a bottle of aftershave from Joplings, in Sunderland.

Cuthbert, of Villette Path, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, burglary and theft.

Judge Guy Whitburn sentenced him to a conditional discharge for 12 months, but told him: "The sentence I pass upon you now is a nominal sentence because you have served the equivalent of a four-month period of custody."