AN honest schoolboy landed himself a bill of more than £2,000 after owning up to accidentally smashing a plate glass window.

The 16-year-old was with a group of other teenagers on a pavement outside the Co-op in Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, County Durham, when he fell against the window.

His weight was enough to damage the plate glass.

The gang ran away, but the schoolboy, who is not being named, returned soon afterwards with his dad to own up to causing the damage. He also offered to pay for repairs.

But the youth was shocked when he heard how much it might cost.

Sergeant Bill Dutton, of Barnard Castle Police, said: "The youth told us that he fell against the window by mistake, and that he would pay for the damage.

"As far as we are concerned, it is being put down as accidental damage and no action is being taken against him."

After the incident on Monday evening, staff had to call in a team to remove the shattered glass and board up the gap, measuring about 7ft by 7ft. It was still boarded up yesterday.

Co-op store manager Shaun Fernandez said: "It will cost over £2,000 to cover the cost of the emergency boarding, then get the new pane of glass and fit it, along with its artwork, which has to be replaced.

"It is quite common to see a group of youths hanging around outside shops on an evening, but perhaps this will let them know that if they cause damage, it will cost them a lot of money."

One member of staff, who was on duty at the time, said: "The group all ran away, but to give him his due, this one came back and admitted he was to blame. I was relieved that he wasn't injured by the glass.

"He went off home and came back with his father. They were both rather shocked when they realised how costly it could be."