FIVE teenagers responsible for causing damage worth more than $100,000 to a Stawell Bowling Club green have escaped without a criminal record.
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Magistrate Simon Zebrowski placed the minors, aged between 13 and 14, on a diversion program after their appearance at a Children's Court on Tuesday.
The five boys pleaded guilty to trespass and criminal damage.
"On March 4 at 4pm the group of boys were at Cato Park and were thirsty - the water at the park's fountain was not cool enough so they went to use the one at the Stawell Bowling Club," police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable David Cosgriff told the court.
"They entered via the west gate at 4.44pm. One of the accused rode his scooter in the green which made an impression.
"Another of the accused then flipped a 30-centimetre rink marker made of steel onto the turf. Shortly after, the other four also began throwing markers onto the turf."
Leading Senior Constable Cosgriff told the court it wasn't until a club member saw the boys that they stopped what they were doing.
"They threw markers and paper cups across the grounds when bowls club member Peter Pianta found them and told them to clean up and leave - which they did so," he said.
"Pianta called the club's president, who then told him to call the police who arrived later that night."
The boys were interviewed throughout April.
Every action has a reaction
- Magistrate Simon Zebrowski
"They made full admissions. One said Stawell is boring and they just wanted to do and another said the didn't think they would damage anything," Leading Senior Constable Cosgriff.
Stawell Bowling Club will have to replace the damaged green, costing about $120,000.
Defence lawyer Rita Sparham said the boys were sorry and "things just got out of hand".
"It was just five boys hanging out together, wanting a drink of water. They started having a game with the markers and didn't realise the damage they would cause," she said.
"Certainly once Mr Pianta arrived they cleaned up and left straight away. They thought the markers were leaving paint marks, not damaging the green.
"They are very sorry and didn't realise the extent of the damage caused. They have not been in trouble before."
The boys were put on a diversion program and avoided a criminal record.
Part of the plan involves community conferencing with the Stawell Bowling Club to see the impact of their actions.
Mr Zebrowski sent a clear, stern message to the group.
"Behave yourself from here - you have no criminal record but there are not too many chances like that for something like this. I don't want to be seeing you again," he said.
"Sometimes, at that age, you don't think of the consequences - but every action has a reaction.
"Causing $120,000 damage - that's a lot of money. And who will pay for it? I bet it isn't you boys."
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