ONE of two youths who set fire to an empty school in Pool-in-Wharfedale had a history of break-ins and damage to property.

A 16-year-old from Pool and a 17-year-old from Otley caused around £250,000 damage to the old school building in Main Street after breaking in through the roof on January 22 this year, a Court was told.

Firefighters took more than four hours to control the blaze and roads were closed causing traffic chaos in the village.

Leeds City Council had been pressed by both the parish council and community group Pool 2020 to get the school redeveloped because of fears of vandalism. The school, which had been empty and boarded up for six years, has since been demolished.

On Friday at Leeds Crown Court, both youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted a charge of arson, being reckless as to whether property would be destroyed.

The 16-year-old was sentenced to three years' detention after the court heard he had been counselled in the past about his fascination with fire.

He had broken in through the roof of the building in the early hours of the morning while waiting for a bus. He had then lit a fire using firelighters and a cigarette lighter to keep warm.

A woman out walking her dog at just after 6am smelled smoke and saw it coming out through the roof slates.

At an earlier hearing, it was revealed that the younger boy had been cautioned by police in 1998 after breaking into the old school and setting fire to the wooden floor.

On that occasion the damage was not serious.

He had been cautioned again by police in the same year for damaging graveside ornaments and the groundsman's hut at Bramhope Cemetery.

Again in 1998, he was identified by a security guard after breaking into a nursing home in Pool.

His 17-year-old accomplice was given a 12-month detention and training order.

The court was told he felt remorse for his actions, had made an attempt to put out the fire and had believed it was out when he left the building.

Nigel Edwards, for the younger of the two boys, said he was immature and contrite over what he had done.

Before sentencing, Recorder Stephen Williamson QC said: "The offence of arson, being reckless whether this property should be destroyed, allowing for your pleas of guilty, remains a very serious offence indeed.

"Unfortunately, there are offences when it is not in the interest of the court just to let someone off."