Two teenagers have admitted setting fire to a school causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Flashback - fire crews at the scene of the blaze at Colbayns High School, Clacton, above. Firefighters were 'showered with glass' as they fought the flames, the court heard. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (42862-1)

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC warned the pair they could be locked up for the offence, which they admitted on the day they were due to face trial.

A third teen - a Clacton girl aged 13 - had denied a charge of arson and a formal not guilty verdict was directed by the judge.

The other two youngsters, a boy aged 13 and a girl aged 15, admitted arson on a joint basis at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday after previously blaming each other for the damage.

Firefighters were called to Colbayns High School just after 2pm on May 30.

Crews from Clacton and Frinton fought flames and explosions wearing breathing apparatus as the fire took hold of the science laboratory and a prep room at the site in Pathfields Road, Clacton.

Firefighters were showered with glass as a skylight exploded from the heat as they tackled the blaze.

Mark Hinsworth, mitigating for the boy, said he had admitted the charge on the basis he acted as a look-out and denies actively starting any fire.

But Judge Goldstaub told him: "Each of the defendants has admitted joint criminal responsibility for the arson at the Colbayns School."

He reserved the sentencing to himself and released the teenagers, who are both from Clacton, on conditional bail until February 27, warning them: "You must not suppose because I'm giving you bail, letting you have your freedom for the time-being, that means in the end you won't have to be detained in some custodial institute."

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Published Tuesday, November 29, 2005

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