Robert (R) and Gail (G) are both 14, they are out together hiking and get lost. It starts raining and as they haven't packed any waterproofs they take shelter in a barn. It gets late and the rain has not stopped so they decide to spend the night in the barn. To try to make it cosier they move some hay bails around, making a table, a sofa and a fireplace. Robert wakes up in the night and is very cold, he thinks it will make it warm if he lights a fire in the fireplace. He does not think the hay bails will catch fire. The hay bails do catch fire and the barn is destroyed, Robert and Gail both escape unhurt.

Advise Robert and Gail as to any liability they may have for simple criminal damage (S.1(1) Criminal Damage Act 1971)