A GROUP of juveniles who went on a vandalism spree in Tidworth, costing thousands of pounds, have been ordered by a court to pay back just £25 in compensation, councillors have been told.

Buildings attacked by the youths, who cannot be named because of their age, included Tidworth's oldest church, the rarely used St Mary's chapel and the MoD cricket ground pavilion.

Damage at the cricket ground alone was put at £1,800. The youngsters smashed windows and once inside, a large number of glasses.

Parish councillors are so annoyed they have decided to write a strongly-worded letter to the magistrates in Salisbury.

Sgt Paul Oatway whose team detected the offenders though inquiries and forensic evidence said it wasn't his job to criticise the decision but simply to put offenders before the court.

Parish chairman, Steve Dagger, said: "The £25 is neither here nor there.

"I know that the attack on the chapel was a sustained effort which would have taken them a long time.

"We should write to the magistrates to inform them of our dismay and disappointment at their lack of judgement.

"The police are doing their job and putting these people before the courts and then they get away scot free - it isn't right."

Councillor Humphrey Jones, added: "We should also ask them how on earth they think this is a deterrent."

Those whose property was attacked had asked the court for full compensation and the biggest losers, the MoD, has also voiced its concern.

MoD representative, Col Tony Bateman, said: "We as a garrison have already written a strongly worded letter."

Mrs Jean Sawyer, added that the church had had to take out extra insurance on the chapel which it could not really afford.

During the meeting Sgt Oatway added that police had received another call to the isolated chapel that evening and despite having attended within three minutes had drawn a blank.