Teen gang 'caught by own website'

The court will get details of the website contents before sentencing

A teenage gang which terrorised a local community in Flintshire were caught after police found their website which glorified what they were up to.

The gang called themselves "Team Blazers", Mold youth court was told.

The court heard a police officer and his family were harrassed, leading to a dead bird and a skull and crossbones being placed on their doorstep.

Four youths, 15 and 17, admitted offences including criminal damage and burglary and will be sentenced later.

The youngsters, many of whom had never been in any trouble before, had been responsible for incidents of vandalism and burglary over a 12-month period in the Flint Mountain area.

Magistrates were told that police had prepared a CD-rom of the website run by the group, which has since been closed.

Prosecutor David Boycott said that a very lengthy report had been prepared by the police detailing a large number of problems.

The gang had broken into a school and stolen toys and caused £3,000 damage to a soft play area.

'Quite terrifying'

A police officer and his family who relocated to the area were victims of intimidation and harassment.

Dog mess was thrown at the family's house, take-away food which they had not ordered was delivered and laser pens were shone into the house.

Mr Boycott said it culminated in an incident involving a large dead bird and a skull and crossbones which had been placed on their doorstep.

There was a message with it which read: "Courtesy of the Flint Mountain crew, baby."

Defence solicitors said that the youths had not been in trouble before and the effect of the proceedings was quite terrifying for them.

Sentence was adjourned to tie up with other cases.