Teenager laughed as North Devon Magistrates said he has a drinking problem

AN immature teenager shook his head and smirked as he was told by magistrates he has a drinking problem.

The 17-year-old boy, who drunkenly smashed up a chest of drawers at the B&B he was staying at in Ilfracombe last month pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a property.

And when asked how he thought his actions had made the B&B owners feel he replied: "I don't care."

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was having his stay at the B&B funded by Devon County Council after deciding he wanted to move out of his family home in Barnstaple and become more independent. But after a night out with friends on September 15 the boy turned up at the B&B banging on the door after losing his phone and his keys.

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He then became aggressive towards the owners before retreating to his room and damaging the chest of drawers.

Sean Tipton, for the prosecution, said the damaged caused was in the region of £150.

When questioned by magistrates, the boy said: "There's no way it was worth £150. I am not paying no fine."

Magistrates also suggested that he has a problem with alcohol after it was heard that the boy has two previous drink-related convictions.

He said: "Just because I have had two drink orders two years ago, it doesn't matter. It's not like I have been nicked seven or eight times."

Magistrate Rose Day told the boy that he had issues with attitude and immaturity and that some form of compensation would need to be paid to which the boy laughed.

The case was adjourned until October 23 for pre-sentence reports.