A teenager in a gang called the Jedi Knights who filmed its own vandalism sprees has been placed under four months' supervision by a youth offender team.

The 16-year-old was also ordered to pay £175 compensation and £50 costs after pleading guilty at Worthing Youth Court to stealing golf clubs from a garage, pulling up conifer trees and hurling a tree at a car.

With his parents at his side, the youth listened as the court heard the gang recorded themselves on home video causing thousands of pounds' damage.

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

Catherine Davis, prosecuting, said: "The youths were indulging in acts of criminal behaviour. Many of the victims were elderly.

"On one occasion a woman had a brick wall pushed over and she had milk bottles smashed, panes of glass in a greenhouse smashed and a small conifer tree uprooted.

"She is a widow who had to endure this anti-social behaviour and vandalism."

Jane MacDougal, defending, described the video: "You see normal youth-type behaviour to start with, such as pulling faces. This bad behaviour gradually deteriorates.

"This was very much acting up to the camera and to each other. The behaviour got more and more outrageous."

She said the video came to light after the youth who owned the camcorder took the video into school to screen to his friends. A teacher contacted police.

Talking about how the defendant was made to watch the video with his parents, Ms MacDougal said: "One can imagine the embarrassment caused both to the defendant and his parents who had to see how their son behaved when out of their control.

"It is quite clear this behaviour stopped in March. Whether this was because the youths realised they had gone too far or because the camcorder was not available, I'm not sure."

She acknowledged it was not a pleasant story, but said: "If the defendant had gone out on his own, none of these offences would have been committed. But when he started playing up to the camcorder, things got out of hand.

"He has moved on and is doing something with his life now."

The youth pleaded not guilty to two other offences and the case was adjourned until July 4.

Unconditional bail was extended.

Two other youths were charged with offences including burglary, theft and criminal damage. Their cases were also adjourned until July 4.