STRIKING barristers worked unpaid in court to help three schoolboys who were locked up.

Three barristers told the judge that they would not ask for payment for representing the boys, one 13 and two 14, who were appealing against sentences of 18 months detention for robbery, firearms offences, burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

Barristers have been refusing to accept Legal Aid work since October 3 in a dispute over higher fees and the paperwork requesting the lawyers to represent the teenagers had been issued on the day the strike began.

The barristers from Fountain Court chambers in Middlesbrough, Teesside, decided that they would represent the youths, who arrived at Teesside Crown Court under escort from detention centres in Coventry, Leeds and Durham.

Richard Bennett, for the 13-year-old, told Judge Leslie Spittle, sitting with two magistrates: "There has been an error.

"It only became apparent to us that the Legal Aid order was dated October 3.

"We have decided that the best way forward is to continue to act for them, but we will not bill it."

The judge told Mr Bennett and his chambers colleagues Tom Mitchell and Jonnie Walker: "That is a matter entirely for you."

The teenagers stole two shotguns and ammunition from a friend's house and took turns firing them in nearby woods before hiding them there, said Richard Parsell for the Crown.

The 14-year-olds also stole a friend's father's Honda motorcycle, helmets and leathers and rode it to Leeds, then dumped it on a beach near their homes in Marske, east Cleveland.

One boy chased another through the town with a Samurai sword, and the 13-year-old and a 14-year-old bullied younger boys and took their bicycles.

They were all sentenced to 18 months detention and training by Teesside Youth Court, but have now appealed against the length of the sentence.

The judge adjourned the case for seven days, and Mr Bennett told him that they would continue to represent the teenagers.