RECKLESS teenage boys caused over £100,000 damage by burning down a Huddersfield school pavilion, a court was told.

It was the day after bonfire night last year when three 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old friend lit a fire near the outbuilding at Salendine Nook High School.

Huddersfield Youth Court yesterday heard how it was a windy day and the fire had spread to the £92,000 pavilion, also destroying gym equipment worth £10,000 inside the building.

The four boys, described by a lawyer as ‘lovely young men’, all pleaded guilty to arson.

But they maintained they didn’t mean to set fire to the pavilion.

The Year 11 boys, who will take their GCSEs this year, cannot be identified for legal reasons.

One told magistrates: “I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what we’ve been through. It has been so bad and we’re sorry.”

Claire Reed, prosecuting, said the teenagers had lit the fire three feet away from the pavilion using scrap cardboard and a lighter.

She said: “Unfortunately, the fire report states that there were strong winds and the fire became more serious causing the pavilion to be completely destroyed.”

Mrs Reed said the boys, none of whom had previous convictions, were arrested a few days later and made full admissions to police.

Mr Mark Brooks, defending the 16-year-old, said: “This incident has provided a very salutary lesson for both him and his family. The concern of his family is both genuine and sincere.”

Mr Brooks said all the teenagers admitted starting the fire by lighting used cardboard with a lighter.

He said: “When they left the fire was down to its embers.”

The 16-year-old suggested phoning the fire brigade but another boy told him it was nothing to worry about.

Mrs Sonia Kidd, defending two of the boys, said: “You couldn’t meet a nicer group of young men and I don’t think such nice men will ever be before this court again.

“They are lovely young men with incredibly supportive parents.

“They accept that when their friend asked whether they should call the fire brigade they didn’t do anything. They believed that the building wouldn’t set on fire.

“The fire was down to its embers and it was raining quite heavily.

“They meant absolutely no harm and there was no malicious intent.”

Mr Andrew Sugden, defending the fourth young man, said it was a “stupid” and “misconceived” idea to play with fire.

Eileen Marchant, chairman of the magistrates, gave each schoolboy a six-month month referral order.

She said: “You’re not the usual people to stand before us in court.

“Your actions resulted in over £100,000 worth of damage.

“However, we’ve noted that this is the result of reckless behaviour.

“It was juvenile and thoughtless behaviour.

“You’re now in your GCSE year and if you’re going to succeed you have to get away from that juvenile behaviour now.”

She added: “I’m sure as you can ever be – and I’ve sat in this court for a long time – that we won’t see you four in this court ever again.”