A teenager tried to cover up his graffiti after police found his aerosol cans and tags on his school books.

But the bungling 14-year-old made more mess as he tried to destroy the evidence - so turned himself in to police.

The schoolboy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, then went around the Leigh area with officers pointing out the damage he had inflicted, Southend Youth Court heard. They had searched him the day before in Avenue Road, Leigh.

The boy also asked for a further ten offences to be taken into consideration. Southend magistrates extended the boy's existing referral order, imposed for another offence of common assault, for six months.

He was also ordered to pay Southend Council £100 compensation and £25 costs.

Published Thursday, May 22, 2003

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