A teenager alleged to be part of the Jedi Knights gang has pleaded not guilty to encouraging his friends to commit acts of vandalism on camera.

The 16-year-old, who is said to have owned the camcorder, appeared with his father by his side at Worthing Youth Court yesterday.

He is the last of the gang members to have his case heard.

The teenager, who cannot be named, is charged with encouraging others to cause damage costing £200 to a car windscreen; take a red Mercedes van without authority; and cause damage costing £100 damage to a greenhouse.

Two other charges are advising others to deliberately cause damage costing £60 to a summerhouse and damage costing £200 to another windscreen.

All the incidents are alleged to have taken place in the Durrington area of Worthing in February and March this year.

Four other gang members have been sentenced to periods of supervision by a youth offending team and ordered to pay compensation.

A total of five teenagers have been charged with 22 offences, including burglary, theft and criminal damage, and asked for a further 20 offences to be taken into consideration. The law prevents their identification.

Two more youths have been given a final warning after admitting their involvement in the same series of incidents.

The last teenager's case was adjourned until August 1.