15 year old held in cells after he kicked ball which dented car

It was only a wayward shot during a game of street football among teenage friends.

But when the ball ricocheted off a neighbour's car and left a small scuff mark, Ashley Gallagher, 15, found himself facing the worst kind of penalty.



The terrified schoolboy - who has never been in trouble before - was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and carted off to a police station where he had to hand over his keys and shoe laces before being thrown into a police cell.

He was later given a taped interview, his fingerprints and DNA were taken, before he was bailed until next month when he will have to return for further questioning and may be charged.

If the case goes to court he faces up to three months in jail as well as paying compensation.