A youth who went on a spree of vandalism and theft blamed anarchic television show Jackass for inspiring him.
The 17-year-old from Leigh, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told police he had got ideas for at least one of his crimes from the MTV show broadcast on Channel 4.
Made in America, the show features a group of men who perform bizarre stunts and practical jokes which often involve damaging and setting fire to things.
On April 17 this year the youth, along with two others, was seen setting light to seats in the public toilets in Crown Hill, Rayleigh, using fire lighters and a can of deodorant to cause £1,360 of damage.
When he was arrested later that day, he also admitted setting light to bins in the town's High Street.
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