A boy aged 15 carried out a mini crimewave in Holywell, culminating in an attempt to set fire to a community centre.

The boy, who had been on remand in custody pending sentence, was due to have a trial on a charge of attempted arson but he decided to admit the offence on the basis of recklessness.

Flintshire Magistrates Court was told it was not alleged the boy had started the fire which was in a nearby refuse bin.

But prosecutor Ember Wong said there was a danger of the fire spreading to the community centre and the boy had been seen putting items on the fire.

The boy – who cannot be identified because of his age – was placed on a 12 month youth rehabilitation order with intensive supervision and surveillance.

He was placed on a 12 week tagged curfew between 7pm and 7am.

The boy is not to approach two named people and he is banned from entering certain areas of Holywell.

He was warned that if he breached the order, then he would be sent into custody.

Solicitor Chris Jesse, defending, told the Mold court the youth had committed a large number of offences over a short period.

But a remand in custody had done him the world of good and reports from the youth justice service showed he was a changed young man.

Magistrates said they had decided on the youth rehabilitation order because he had admitted the offences and in view of the time he had spent in custody.

The youth admitted a series of offences including attempted arson at Holywell Community Centre belonging to Flintshire Council, harassing a couple by shouting abuse at them, a public order offence, damaging fence panels, the theft of a petrol generator valued at £200, and driving an off-road motorcycle carelessly and with no licence or insurance.

He also admitted a further public order offence, the theft of alcohol and damage to street lights in the town.