Three teenagers went on a 'rampage' of burglary, vandalism and arson at a caravan park, a court has heard.

Vehicles were damaged, items were stolen, and caravans trashed during the incident, with two vans being completely gutted by fires started by flares.

A judge at Swansea Crown Court branded the actions of Maximilliam Langford, Daniel Sieuw, and James Wright "mindless vandalism".

Helen Randall, prosecuting, told the court that on May 2, 2017, the trio entered a "small settlement of caravans" off Gwyne Road near Llandeilo , Carmarthenshire .

Once inside they began entering and wrecking the caravans on the site and removing items from within.

A log cabin in the complex was also burgled and a 4x4 buggy and a "military-style vehicle" were damaged.

Two of the caravans were torched and completely destroyed after flares were set off inside them. The teenagers then fled the scene.

Flares were used to set fire to two of the caravans
Flares were used to set fire to two of the caravans

The court heard police were alerted and carried out a search of the site and officers found an abandoned rucksack containing Sieuw's passport.

Langford and Siuew were arrested that evening at the train station in nearby Ffairfach while Wright was arrested the following day.

Langford, aged 19, of Heol y Garreg Las, Llandeilo, pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary and two counts of criminal damage. Sieuw, aged 18, of  Bryngwyn, Llandeilo, admitted two counts of burglary and two of criminal damage. Wright, aged 20, of Rhydfro, Llangadog, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and two counts of arson.

The court heard none of them have any previous convictions.

Kate Williams, for Langford, said her client had been 17 at the time of the offences and had been living a "chaotic life". The advocate said her client had recently become a father for the second time – something that "seems to have helped him resist further offending".

Ian Ibrahim, for Sieuw, said his client had moved to Wales from his native Belgium following a family bereavement and had found it difficult to fit in. He said the defendant had shown "very poor judgement" on the day in question but was now aiming to be a responsible member of society and was launching his own house maintenance business. The barrister added that Siuew's use of cannabis had now stopped.

Carina Hughes, for Wright, said her client had turned to drug abuse following the breakdown of a relationship but that he too had now stopped taking controlled substances.

The barrister said Wright realised he was facing the real prospect of immediate custody for the arson offences, but said he was now doing an apprenticeship where he was well-regarded and he may have reached a "turning point" in his life.

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Judge Peter Heywood told the three defendants they had been involved in a "rampage" and an act of "mindless vandalism" while under the influence of cannabis and alcohol.

He said they broke into and trashed caravans, stole items, and showed "no respect for other people's property".

The judge said courts always treat arson seriously because once fires are set they are difficult to control and could have "horrendous consequences".

The judge said he had carefully considered sentencing in the case and accepted the Probation Service conclusion that there were constructive alternatives to custody available for the trio.

Langford was sentenced to a total of 12 months detention suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation course.

Sieuw was sentenced to a total of eight months detention suspended for 18 months and was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation course.

Wright was sentenced to a total of 16 months detention suspended for two years and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation course.

The judge warned them if they committed any new offences during the course of the suspended sentences, or failed to complete the unpaid work, they would be brought back before him and he would have "no hesitation" in sending them straight to custody.