TWO teenage boys tampered with a motorcycle parked by a Worcester factory so they could start a scooter they had found.

Worcester Youth Court was told that the 15 and 16-year-olds, from Warndon, found a red Peugeot scooter - which had been reported stolen in November - near the canal on Thursday, December 12, last year.

"They accept they made no effort to locate the owner and took it for their own use," said Alex Warren, prosecuting.

"The older boy put personal belongings in the compartment under the seat of the scooter.

"They then wheeled it to the Cosworth Technology car park on Buckholt Drive. They hadn't been able to get it started. They saw another vehicle and decided to try and get petrol from it."

The court heard the youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were seen by workers at the plant, who detained the pair until police arrived.

A tin containing a lump of cannabis resin, which had been thrown into bushes, was found by police.

The boys both admitted taking the scooter without the owner's consent, motor vehicle interference and possession of cannabis.

The 15-year-old also admitted theft of a television and receiving stolen goods.

His solicitor, Judith Kenney, said the boy was being victimised by police.

"Police contact has been intensive and intrusive," she said. "The police have gone on a targeted campaign of this young man."

The 15-year-old was sentenced to a six-month supervision order. The 16-year-old was given a three-month action plan order and told to pay £25 costs.