A DARE led to a Soham teenager stealing a bottle of cider from the One Stop shop in town. My mates dared me to do it, so I did, he explained to Ely magistrates on Thursday, after admitting theft. Prosecuting, Delia Smith told how the 14-year-old was cau

A DARE led to a Soham teenager stealing a bottle of cider from the One Stop shop in town.

"My mates dared me to do it, so I did," he explained to Ely magistrates on Thursday, after admitting theft.

Prosecuting, Delia Smith told how the 14-year-old was caught on CCTV as he picked up the £1.69 bottle of cider on January 20.

Police were called in by shop staff. When arrested, the boy admitted what he had done, and knew it was wrong.

Sue Deaves from the youth offending team told the court: "He was responding to peer pressure. His friends tend to dare him, and he takes up the challenge. But he did hand himself in to the police, he knew he had been seen."

Extending the boy's current referral order for six months, presiding magistrate Sue Thompson warned him: "We cannot have people like you just taking things, even if it is a dare.

"It could be the start of a criminal career. If you don't mend your ways, you could end up in serious trouble.