A TEENAGER who stole and damaged nativity figures from outside the Guildhall will spend Christmas and New Year in jail.

Eighteen-year-old Christopher Geisler said he took the baby Jesus and Mary from the display "for a laugh".

However, District Judge Bruce Morgan said he didn't see the funny side and remanded him in custody until Friday, January 11, when he will be sentenced.

Geisler's father Paul Geisler said he was shocked and upset his son would not be home for Christmas.

"I just can't believe it," he said. "I never thought for a minute he would be sent to jail. I know what he did was wrong but I thought he would get a heavy fine or something."

"We were planning a nice family Christmas," Mr Geisler added. "His grandad is coming over. This is just devastating."

Mr Geisler condemned the actions of his son, but added: "He is not a bad lad. He didn't attack anyone. We were upset when we found out what he had done, but I don't think it warrants spending Christmas in jail away from his family."

Geisler, of Leopard Rise, off Newtown Road, Worcester, admitted charges of theft and causing criminal damage when he appeared before the city's magistrates yesterday.

The judge said: "People celebrate Christmas, some for religious purposes and some for other purposes, and there are wretched louts like you who go and smash up a nativity scene for no reason whatsoever."

Douglas Marshall, prosecuting, said police officers received an anonymous phone call at about 2.40am on Tuesday, December 11, saying the nativity scene in the High Street had been vandalised.

He said: "Officers attended the scene and saw two figures were missing.

"They conducted an area search and within a short time they had managed to locate the defendant at the Cathedral roundabout in possession of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus."

Mr Marshall said officers found blood on the damaged Mary which matched that coming from a cut on one of Geisler's fingers. Jesus was found with damage to his hands and face. The total damage to the figures was £500.

Geisler, a student at Worcester Sixth Form College, made a full and frank admission in interview.

"He couldn't remember how much he had drunk but put it down to alcohol," said Mr Marshall, who added that Geisler had already been banned from drinking in licensed premises in Worcester.

In mitigation Mr Mirza said: "He told me in confidence how very sorry he was for what he had done. He accepts this was a serious offence.

"He'd had a drink and did it for a laugh but he doesn't think it is funny any more. He is fully remorseful for the offence."

It was the third year running that the nativity scene was vandalised.

John Tredwell, principal at the sixth form college, said he had only just been informed of the incident and would be launching an investigation after the Christmas break.