By Hayley Robinson

Two teenagers who covered children’s play equipment in dog mess have been ordered to pay compensation.

The boys aged 15 and 16 were both charged with criminal damage after they were seen emptying bags containing dog mess from a dog bin and kicking and throwing them around the children’s play area in Rectory Park, Sittingbourne, on December 7.

The park had to be closed so the area could be cleaned by a team of three from Swale council’s cleaning contractors.

The pair, who admitted the charge, were ordered to pay £50 compensation and received youth rehabilitation orders when they appeared before Sittingbourne youth court.

PC Lance Montgomery, of the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team, said: "The clean-up operation cost £580 and took many hours. It was a revolting act of both criminal and anti-social behaviour which could have caused serious health issues to young children using the play area."

A Swale council spokesman said: "We were appalled to learn of the irresponsible actions of these youths and their actions prevented others from using the play facilities while they were being cleaned.

"While the fine may be perceived as light the fact that these individuals have had to go through the process should be deterrent enough not only to prevent them from causing antisocial behaviour again but also to deter others."