A 15-year-old has been ordered to pay the cost of damage he caused to a sign at a Swindon tenpin bowling venue.

The teen was at Tenpin Bowling in Shaw Ridge with friends on January 9, with the prosecution telling Swindon Magistrates' Court that the group had been 'tricky to deal with'. 

The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was said to be loud and boisterous while inside the centre and then when he left he struck an outside sign, causing irreparable damage to it. 

In his defence, the teen's barrister said: "He pleaded guilty at first opportunity, so this matter can be dealt with by way of caution.

"He is a young man with no previous convictions, suitable for a referral order, to the Youth Justice Service, he says he made a mistake and has apologised."

The boy's mother added: “He’s a good boy, he’s had a bad patch, but we're getting help, he is working on therapy with social services and engaging well. He has the information he needs to make better choices.” 

Magistrates imposed a short referral order lasting three months and ordered him to pay a £40 fine, which would pass on to his mother because of his age. 

His mother added he would be paying it back with chores.