FOUR teenagers who went on a wrecking spree, trashing, ransacking and burgling a house thought the property was empty, a court heard.

Three of the gang were sent to detention following their appearance at Burnley Crown Court. All four admitted burglary of the house in Clarence Road, Accrington.

The court they flooded the home, daubed on the walls, left mud over the floor and raided the cupboards.

A £500 oil painting was shredded, a video collection stolen, woodstain poured over a mattress and holes made in plaster.

Owner Paul Goodman's clothes were covered in paint, his £1,400 golf clubs stolen and ornaments, photos and pictures went missing.

Sentencing them, Judge Raymond Bennett said appalling damage had been caused by the four.

David Parkinson, 18, of Chestnut Drive, Accrington, who is currently serving a 10 month term of custody for robbery was given another eight months to serve on top. His three accomplices, one aged 15 and two 13-year-olds, cannot be named for legal reasons. The 15-year-old ,of previous good character, was given a six months detention and training order while a 13 year old, who the judge said was a "persistent offender," was given 10 months and a second 13 year old, who has no previous convictions, received a six months supervision order.

Judith McCullough, prosecuting, said Mr Goodman had lived there for 18 months and found a panel had been removed from the window, goods had been stolen and substantial damage caused. One of the defendants took some stolen ornaments back to his property and another wrote a letter of apology.

Miss McCullough said a lot of the stolen haul was found at the home of one youth.

Louise Whaites for Parkinson, said much of the property was recovered. He did not accept he caused any damage. The defendant, who had convictions for robbery and common assault, wanted to express his remorse to the complainant directly.

For the first 13 year old, Sara Dodd said he had been in care from the age of 12 months. Not surprisingly, he had difficulty forming attachments.

Charles Brown, representing the 15 year old, said he was dared to write his name with a spray can and Hugh Dixon said the second 13-year-old had personally apologised to Mr Goodman.