A YOUNGSTER who was part of a gang that beat up a father and son has appeared in court.

The 16-year-old from Shildon, County Durham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Bishop Auckland Youth Court yesterday and admitted using or threatening unlawful violence.

The incident took place in Shildon on December 30.

The gang had been throwing snowballs at a house in the village.

Ciaran Grogan, prosecuting, said that when the owner of the house came out to remonstrate with the youths, he was pulled from his doorway by two of them.

The group began to assault him, and when his son went to help him, he was also attacked.

Mr Grogan said: "It was a group action and it was hard to discern who was precisely responsible for what."

He said the attack had left the family distressed.

Chris Bunting, in mitigation, said there had been some provocation from the father and son.

He said: "He does express a genuine remorse for his actions and realises it hampers or delays his hopes of getting into the Army."

Magistrates sentenced the youth to a 36-hour attendance centre order and ordered him to pay £20 compensation.