A TEENAGER has been convicted of arson at a Basingstoke church.

Appearing at Basingstoke Youth Court on Friday, January 6, a 14-year-old boy received a detention and training order for offences including arson.

He was convicted of arson for a fire that destroyed a wooden shed at St Joseph's Catholic Church, in St Michael's Road, South Ham, on Wednesday, July 27, 2016.

No one was injured in the fire. 

The 14-year-boy was also convicted of seven offences of criminal damage to property, and single offences of assault by beating, possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place and theft by finding.

He received an eight-month detention and training order, which will include a period of custody and a period of supervision.

Inspector Ben Taylor, from Basingstoke’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This teenager’s actions have caused significant anxiety for people in Basingstoke for a considerable period of time.

“We, along with partners within the Safer North Hampshire Community Safety Partnership, have made efforts to work with him to address his behaviour but unfortunately he has continued to act in a manner that is not acceptable to the community.

“This court result shows that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and will take the appropriate action.”

A 15-year-old boy received a 12-month referral order for the same arson offence at a hearing at Basingstoke Youth Court in December.