A TEENAGER who told magistrates he could not guarantee he would complete a community order has been jailed.

Mark Hutchinson, 19, from Langdale Avenue, Crook, County Durham, yesterday admitted failing to comply with a community order at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.

Hutchinson had been given the order in July for threatening criminal damage, threatening violence and criminal damage. The teenager, who initially represented himself, told magistrates he did not know whether he would complete the order.

The duty solicitor, Michael Rayner, then represented Hutchinson.

The court was told Hutchinson suffered from attention- deficit problems and was being honest when he told magistrates he did not know whether he could complete the order.

Mr Rayner said: "He's someone who's saying, 'I know what I'm like, I've tried but I really don't think I'll be able to do this'. He's a realist and being truthful."

Mr Rayner said Hutchinson had only ever had two cautions prior to the community order being imposed.

He said a financial penalty may be a more appropriate punishment given Hutchinson's problems.

However, bench chairman John Robinson sentenced Hutchinson to three months imprisonment.