Teens trash house after party goes '˜viral'

Hundreds of youngsters reportedly turned up for the house party. File picture: Getty

As many as 100 youngsters from schools across Edinburgh and Midlothian descended on the Dalkeith property last Friday.

And now police have launched an investigation after the house was wrecked, a window smashed, its gate and shed kicked in and a number of valuable items snatched.

It is understood the party was thrown by a 14-year-old Edinburgh schoolboy while his father was away for the weekend.

Yesterday, the embarrassed dad told the News the house was “completely trashed” when he came home, with a number of teens now facing charges.

He said: “Police have got an ongoing investigation into it, which hopefully should bear some fruit.”

But he declined to go into detail regarding the “significant damage” done to the inside of the house.

Officers confirmed they were investigating “a report of malicious mischief and theft”. It is understood inquiries are focused on schools around Dalkeith and Liberton High.

When the News visited the secluded property, smashed glass, bottles and cans still littered the garden, despite obvious signs of an attempt at clearing up.

Neighbours described a scene of carnage in the wake of the party. Some told how they even called the police after spotting the devastation – fearing the house had been broken into.

And one said the 14-year-old’s dad had made the youngster accompany him as he went round residents’ doors apologising for the mayhem.

She said a stream of taxis had pulled up to the house last Friday night to drop teenagers off, adding: “What seems to have happened is it got out amongst the youngsters that this house was empty, and it just went viral.”

Another described how the property’s interior had been ransacked, with the sturdy garden gate kicked off its hinges and the shed wrecked. He said: “On Sunday morning we were out walking the dog, and we just saw the gate and the shed absolutely trashed.”

An older couple who live nearby, meanwhile, described hearing a racket coming from the house until well into the early hours of the morning.

It is understood the host of the party is a third-year pupil.

His father – who said he was “embarrassed and upset” at the turn of events – had believed his son was staying with his mother over the weekend in question.

A council spokesman said staff at Liberton High School were working with police as they carried out their inquiries – with other schools outside Edinburgh also involved.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are investigating a report of malicious mischief and theft from a domestic property in Dalkeith, on the evening of Friday,  January 29.

“Our inquiries into this matter are ongoing and anyone with relevant information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

[email protected]