A TEENAGE arsonist from Northwich has been fined after starting a fire at a house in Appleton.

The 15-year-old Northwich boy, who legally cannot be named due to his age, targeted a property on St Mary's Close during an arson attack last month.

He was found guilty of arson at Warrington Magistrates Court on Wednesday, February 20.

Police were called to the property shortly after 8.30pm on Friday, January 18 – with the fire having caused damage to the house's letterbox.

No injuries were caused by the blaze, and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service were not required to attend the scene.

Magistrates handed the boy a restraining order preventing him from entering St Mary's Close for a year and referred the teen to the Cheshire youth offenders' panel for nine months.

He was also ordered to pay compensation of £200, £85 in court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.