A Tteenager broke into a school with a gang of other youths who left a trail of damage, a court heard.

They forced open a door at Cardinal Newman in Upper Drive, Hove, over the Christmas break, left empty alcohol bottles and cigarette ends on the floor of the medical centre and scrawled graffiti on walls.

In the PE department they turned on the taps and left the water running. When staff returned after the festive holiday they found the area flooded with up to 8in of water.

A computer worth £500 was stolen and the bill for repairs was estimated at up to £5,000.

Tani Humphrey was tracked down by police after forensic tests on a cigarette butt revealed a DNA profile linked to him.

Humphrey, 18, of Osmond Gardens, Hove, told officers he had taken part in the break-in but denied being responsible for any of the damage.

He admitted a charge of burglary when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court.

He also admitted burglary at an office in Church Road, Hove. He was with another youth when he stole a mobile phone and a cash box from a desk drawer in a secretarial business.

He asked for another burglary at Cardinal Newman, where music equipment was stolen during a break-in last November, to be taken into consideration.

Tony Waller, defending, said the offences arose out of a time in Humphrey's life when he had left home after his parents separated.

Humphrey was given a 120-hour community punishment order and was ordered to pay £150 costs.