Teenage tearaways

The youths, aged 13 and 14, together with 10 other gang members, have targeted the Shoreham Centre in Pond Road,

Beach Green public toilets on Shoreham Beach and St Mary's Church in the town centre with vandalism and intimidating behaviour, Worthing magistrates were told on Thursday.

Adur District Council took action after police received 38 complaints in 10 months last year over the gang's behaviour.

Police said that from last August the boys spent months hanging around the Shoreham Centre and intimidating visitors by spitting and swearing at them.

Plastic bottles and apples were also regularly thrown through the front door. In a series of attacks on the toilets, officers found the floor flooded, with taps running, and bags stuffed in the sinks.

Toilet rolls and stones were also found strewn all over the floor.

The boys regularly sat on a bench outside St Mary's Church, flicking cigarette butts on the floor, insulting passers-by.

It is thought they set off a fire extinguisher in the church on August 30 last year, causing damage to books.

In one incident, they were said to have "rushed" a man with their bikes in the town centre, knocked off his cap and exposing their bottoms to him, before running off on October 19 last year.

On another occasion, one of the boys kicked a woman's poodle, it was alleged.

The pair were banned from entering parts of Shoreham, including the community centre, and seafront public toilets.

They were also ordered not to associate together.

They are due to appear at Worthing Magistrates' Court again on October 12, when magistrates will consider a full Asbo application.