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A teenage 'Xbox night' resulted in a rampage through a house in Co Armagh, police said.

The PSNI said holes were knocked through walls, possessions stolen and a knife taken to a child's doll.

They added that a large amount of drink had been taken by young people who gatecrashed the family home.

An officer said: "Pocket money may be a distant memory for a good while."

A post on the PSNI Craigavon's page said: "Last Monday, some trusting parents headed out for a few hours and gave their son and his friends the benefit of the doubt.

"The boys were given the chance to show that they were approaching adulthood and could be trusted as such.

"That trust was seriously abused. Instead of the promised 'Xbox night with a couple of mates', they put word out of a free house.

"Fast forward a few hours and one carefully looked after home had holes in the wall and items had been stolen from the house. Someone had even taken a knife to a younger child's toy doll, leaving it in pieces. Almost all of these guys were underage and, again, a large amount of drink was involved.

"The parents in question are not only trusting, but are forgiving. They stepped up as responsible parents, holding their son to account.

"Pocket money may be a distant memory for a good while. They have a list of well over 30 people who were involved and are making their parents aware. If they had chosen to wash their hands and leave it to us, we could be looking at burglary, criminal damage and theft.

"There are a lot of very fortunate folk out there who are being given a second chance, and they should take it.

"Often on here young folk complain that they're not treated like adults. It really is encouraging that people want to step up and show maturity and sense, but incidents like this do no favours.

"Parents - if you can trust your kids, great. If however they leave for an 'Xbox night' with a crowd and a bag making 'clink clink' noises, it's maybe time to intervene. It may not be your house, but it could be your child who ends up with a criminal record if they do something stupid. Think of how you would like your house to be treated.

"Young bucks - I know you say we give you a hard time. We want to give you the benefit of the doubt too, but you've got to remember that respect is a two-way thing.

"Treat others property like you would like your own granny treated: with kindness and care.

"We probably attend more parties as police than you will in your lifetime. Trust us, the best ones are the ones which don't end in handcuffs on your way to custody.

"Also, if a house is left intact, you're likely to be allowed back. How many more 'Xbox nights' do you think this lad will be allowed in future?"

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