A YOUTH vandalised the cars of council staff and set off a fire extinguisher in a council building, before smashing its windows, after a teenage girl told him to, a court heard yesterday.

The 13-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also vandalised a car at a Darlington school in a separate incident, Darlington Youth Court heard.

Ciaran Grogan, prosecuting, said: "He was told by this young girl to go and jump on one of the staff vehicles in the car park."

The boy scratched the car after the 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told him to, then broke off the rear windscreen wiper, Mr Grogan said.

The pair, both from Darlington, then went into the council building, where the boy sprayed a fire extinguisher before smashing nine windows, the court heard.

The pair ran off before police arrived and were abusive when officers caught up with them. The incident happened on October 3.

In a separate incident the following day, the boy vandalised a staff member's car at a Darlington school, causing £300 of damage. In another incident, he smashed a window while trick or treating.

Andrew Clinton, mitigating, said the youngster had experienced serious personal problems and requested a full pre-sentence report.

The boy pleaded guilty to four charges of criminal damage and one charge of using insulting words or behaviour.

In a separate hearing, the girl pleaded guilty to two charges of procuring criminal damage and one charge of using insulting words or behaviour. Rory Todd, mitigating, said she had co-operated with police and asked for a full pre-sentence report.

Both will appear again on November 23 for sentencing.