A 16-YEAR-OLD boy appeared in court yesterday after he went "berserk" attacking his half- sister with a hammer in a row over washing.

The court heard that the victim and her four children were living with the boy and his mother at their home in Newton Aycliffe.

Hari Jandoo, prosecuting, said the boy went berserk and became abusive during the row ten days ago.

"He had a hammer in his possession just prior to messing around with the washing machine, (the victim) said that he hit her on the arm just above the elbow," said Mr Jandoo.

"He picked up a milk pan that had been on the cooker and threw it at her and struck her on the head before running out of the door."

Gwen Burnett, mitigating, said the boy had attention deficit disorder and had recently stopped taking Ritalin.

"He wanted to get his clothing washed and because of his attention deficit problems he couldn't grasp that they could not open the washing machine."

The boy pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage when he appeared before Newton Aycliffe magistrates.

The court heard that he was currently subject to a supervision order in respect of a commercial burglary but that the sister and four children had moved out.

He was made subject to an electronically-monitored curfew prohibiting him from leaving the home between 7pm and 6am.