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Youths who started a devastating fire inside Hartlepool’s former Wesley Chapel put its multi-million pound redevelopment back over a year, a court was told.

The three teenage boys have been sentenced at court for arson over the blaze in November 2023 which caused over £200,000 of damage.

Owners Jomast told Teesside Youth Court the fire put back the development of the Wesley into a 36-bedroom boutique events venue by 12 months.

Two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old boy were given referal orders by the youth court on Wednesday after they each admitted arson last month.

Flames and smoke billow from the roof of the former Wesley Chapel in November 2023. Picture by FRANK REID

The court previously heard how the youths, who cannot be named due to their ages, were “messing about” and smoking in the Wesley after trespassing on the site which had scaffolding up.

The fire was said to have been started by a discarded cigarette and that the teens had been “reckless” and did not intend to cause such damage.

They were said to have been “taken aback” by how quickly it took hold and spread.

Fire crews from across the region spent more than nine hours putting the flames out.

The Wesley is being turned into a 36-bedroom events venue by owners Jomast and Hartlepool Borough Council. Picture by FRANK REID

Court papers stated a total of £201,030 worth of damage was caused to the Grade II-listed building, which dates back to 1873.

District Judge Marie Mallon told one of the boys: “This is a very, very serious offence as demonstrated by the amount of damage and the length of time it took the development to get back on its feet.”

But she told each of the youths she was satisfied it was a “one of incident”.

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One of the boy’s solicitors, Andrew McGloin, said: “He’s clearly reflected on what happened and indeed what could have happened.”

The court heard another of the teens has done some work with the emergency services since the incident to understand the danger and impact.

Each boy was given a 12-month referral order requiring them to work with the Youth Justice System and complete a list of rehabilitation elements in a contract.

District Judge Mallon told each boy: “As long as you do, that brings the matter to a close and wipes the slate clean.”

Last month, work to fit out the inside of the Wesley started.

It is due to open in early 2026.

Teenagers responsible for arson to former Hartlepool chapel 'delayed regeneration project by over a year'