A YOUTH who burnt a book which sparked off a fire at a school library was sentenced to reformative training on Tuesday.

Muhammad Faqih Muhammad Fakiruddin, 17, pleaded guilty last month to a mischief by fire charge with four others, including Ng Guang Liang, 17, at the primary school in Hougang on July 13.

The Institute of Technical Education student also admitted to stealing a thumb drive, two bottles of perfume, an i-Pod and a jacket worth a total of $290 from Mr Yeo Koh Tuan Wee, 52, with three others at a flat in Hougang earlier this year.

The court heard that after the five had climbed into the school via its front side gate, Faqih suggested that they burn the books in the library. They sneaked into the school library through a hole.

Faqih then ignited a hard cover book before putting it back onto the shelf. While the boys were still in the school compound, they saw the fire and immediately fled. The damage came to $109,682.

Faqih and his accomplices were arrested on Jan 8. Ng will be sentenced by another court on Oct 2.