POLICE have praised Ryedale teenagers whose courage helped put a young arsonist and drug dealer behind bars.

Paul Downes, 18, was jailed at York Crown Court for two years for a series of offences, most of which were against people his own age.

They included arson and burglary at Ryedale YMCA and supplying Ecstasy.

Some of those who were prepared to give evidence against him were teenagers living away from their families in the Norton hostel, as was Downes, who is believed to come from Cleveland.

One of his offences was against an adult staff member who had lent him a stereo. Downes damaged it after she had spoken to police about him.

Following his imprisonment, Det Sgt Ian Fieldsend of Ryedale Police revealed that police had been aware that Downes had been causing problems, but had been unable to act because victims were reluctant to speak out.

Det Sgt Ian Fieldsend of Malton CID said: "We knew they (the teenagers) had great difficulties because on the one hand they desperately needed some help and support and on the other hand they knew the only way to get it was to face up to it and tell the police. We told them: 'Our gang is bigger than his gang'.

"It was only by them coming forward in the hopes we would support them that we got to where we did."

Downes pleaded guilty to arson; burglary; assault; criminal damage; and supplying drugs. He started a fire by leaving a chip pan on in a self-contained unit in the hostel where the teenage girl occupant was out, stole a stereo and other equipment from another of the self-contained units at the hostel and assaulted a man in his late teens. Police later found the stolen stereo in Downes' accommodation when they arrested him for the arson.

Updated: 09:45 Wednesday, February 19, 2003