THREE teenagers who vandalised an ancient Westcountry church have been sentenced – to say sorry to the congregation.

Dozens of smiley faces and lewd comments were found daubed on gravestones, memorials and walls at the 750-year-old St Peter's Church in North Tawton, West Devon.

Three local defendants – two girls aged 14 and 15 and a 16 year-old-youth – faced joint charges of causing criminal damage to the historic church, which recently found fame for its role in the BBC comedy Jam and Jerusalem, starring Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French.

The trio were due to appear at Exeter Youth Court yesterday. However, the court heard that all three had been given final warnings by Devon and Cornwall Police over the damage and the charges against them were withdrawn by prosecutor David Burgess.

Dave Brown, from the Youth Offending Team, told the court that the teenagers and their parents had cleaned up the graffiti.

"Part of the plan is for them to apologise to the congregation of the church," Mr Brown added.

He said they face the "daunting" task of facing the vicar and congregation to say sorry for their actions, which caused widespread upset in the small town. The youngsters, who cannot be named because of their ages, were not required to be in court after they had received the final warnings at a police station.

The church, the venue for the funeral of former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes in 1998, was daubed with graffiti, while rude comments were also written on headstones in the graveyard on the weekend of September 11-12.

The attacks left residents of the town shocked and disappointed.

"Clearly this was a very serious desecration of not only a holy place but also of the sensitive memories of many local people who will have family buried there," Torridge and West Devon Conservative MP Geoffrey Cox said last night.

"These young people must realise that what they did was very serious. Having said that, if they have shown a real desire to make good, and I understand that they have cleaned up what they did, and are genuinely remorseful, then extending them a last chance may be the right course."

Two weeks after the incident the Rev Brian Ardill, rector of St Peter's Church, said the young people involved felt great remorse for what they did.

"I had some very nice letters, which were very contrite and apologetic," he said. "I also had a call from the fathers of the people involved, who came around to see me – they were very embarrassed and devastated by what had happened."

Mr Ardill said the teenagers who caused the damage had been at the church after school helping to clean up the graffiti.

He said: "All of the graffiti has almost gone now and we have been using hot water and a wire brush, which has worked really well, and the walls have come up really beautifully."

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said he was unable to directly comment on the case.

But, he explained: "Each case involving juvenile offenders is dealt with on an individual basis, with the punishment imposed dependent on the level of the crime and the impact it has had on the victims and community.

"As part of a restorative justice process young people who offend may take part in a process of mediation between themselves and the victim.

"In some cases a formal reprimand in a police station may be given, or if necessary a final warning can be issued and the offenders will begin working with the youth offending team which covers the area. In other more serious cases, the young person will be dealt with through the court process.

"In all cases involving restorative justice, those who offend will be assessed and will be encouraged to understand the impact their behaviour has had on their victims. While restorative justice is not suitable for all crimes involving young people the process, where appropriate, can help educate them and reduce further offending."