A teenager in a gang who filmed themselves on a wrecking spree has been sentenced to four months' supervision.

The 16-year-old, part of a gang dubbed the Jedi Knights, was also ordered to pay £80 compensation and £55 costs after yesterday pleading guilty to stealing biscuits and orange juice from a nursing home in January this year.

At Worthing Youth Court, he asked for four more offences to be taken into consideration: Stealing milk from a milk float, damaging a supermarket fridge, pushing over a wall and damaging fence panels.

With his father by his side, the youth, who is too young to be identified, listened as the court heard he was one of a gang who filmed themselves causing thousands of pounds of damage.

The vandalism spree took place in the Durrington area of Worthing between December and March last year.

Kirsten Sharp, defending, said: "One of the young men got hold of a camcorder. They filmed themselves and egged each other on to commit these minor offences.

"My client has learnt his lesson. He has now left school and hopes to put this behind him."

The youth's father told the court: "He has learnt from the whole experience."

Peter Lytle, prosecuting, told the court how a matron discovered £20 worth of orange juice and biscuits were missing from the Country Lodge Nursing Home in Worthing.

Criminal damage included £50 to a refrigeration unit at Tesco's in Durrington, £100 to a wall belonging to Worthing Borough Council and £100 damage to a fence.

The youth pleaded not guilty to a further two offences, which were withdrawn.

Magistrate Pat Town said: "These sorts of offences are annoying and cause a nuisance.

"We have taken into account your guilty pleas and recommended your father attends when you go to meetings for this referral order."

She said the youth had to pay a minimum of £15 a week to the court.

Mrs Town added: "You must go where and when you are told to go. This behaviour will not be tolerated."

A second gang member, who was previously given a four month referral order, pleaded not guilty to two offences of taking a car without authority and criminal damage. Both charges were withdrawn.

A third youth had his case adjourned until Thursday.