A HIGHWORTH teenager has been given a six-month referral order after setting fire to a car.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, was also ordered to pay £120 in costs and compensation.

The boy appeared at Swindon Youth Court charged with criminal damage.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing following the arson attack on a Rover Metro in the Brewery Street area of Highworth during the night of March 8 and morning of March 9.

The car insured for £800 had been subjected to a series of vandal attacks over a number of nights.

Then one of the car windows was smashed, petrol was poured into the car, and the vehicle was set alight.

Prosecutor Stacey Turner said that residents nearby had seen a group of youths hanging around the car before the fire.

When police officers arrived they found a mobile phone near the passenger side door and when they checked it they found a number under 'home'.

Officers traced the number and paid the youth a visit.

Inquiries also showed the defendant's clothes had been burnt by fire.

Ms Turner said: "In interview he admitted smashing the window but refused to name people who poured the petrol in."

Mike Pulsford, defending, said: "He didn't name the others for fear of reprisal, and he accepts that it was a dangerous thing for him to do.

Chairman of the bench, David Packham said: "This was a very stupid thing to do.

"It could have put other people at risk and put yourself at risk not to mention it the incon-venience caused to the owner of the vehicle."

A second teenager, aged 15 also from Highworth, was jointly charged with criminal damage but pleaded not guilty.

His case was adjourned until May 19.