A TEENAGER accused of starting a fire at a school was found guilty by a jury yesterday.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the youngster, who cannot be named, and his friend, had made makeshift torches with pieces of paper, which they set on fire in a hut at West Park Primary School, Hartlepool, in October last year.
They thought they had put out the "small fire" by stamping on it, the boy told the court earlier in the week.
His friend, who also cannot be named, admitted the charge of arson, but the second youth denied the claim.
He did admit, the court heard, that his lighter was used to light the paper.
Sentence was deferred on the pair until April 18 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared
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