A TEENAGER imitating the cult TV programme Jackass burned a 'smiley' face into the arm of a friend using the base of a red hot cigarette lighter.

And magistrates heard the 16-year-old from Darwen also set fire to the same friend's back using a deodorant aerosol like a flame thrower.

Both "pranks" were filmed for inclusion on a web site run by the teenager and fed with footage by a gang calling themselves LNDL (Live Now Die Later).

And Blackburn juvenile court was told the teenager was being prosecuted despite his friend being a willing participant in the stunts.

The teenager pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and igniting the aerosol with intent to injure.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report after magistrates said they were considering imposing a six months supervision order.

Judith Balderstone, prose-cuting, produced photographs showing three 'smiley' faces burnt into the other boy's skin.

"Despite those injuries there has never been any complaint from this boy, who even made a statement to camera that he was taking part willingly," said Miss Balderstone.

The defendant set up his camcorder before heating the lighter on the gas oven until it was red hot and then applied it to the other boy's arm, she said.

"It went through the skin although the boy said that at the time it didn't actually hurt," said Miss Balderstone.

"He also says that immediately afterwards, the defendant got a first aid kit.

"He was also very upset and burst into tears. This was apparently because he had previously been involved in a stunt where a boy's lower limbs had been set on fire and he ended up in hospital."

Miss Balderstone said that despite the problems following that prank the same youngster was the 'victim' in another incident during which he essentially had his back set on fire.

"Apparently members of the gang had had various parts of their bodies set on fire but there had never been a video of anyone having their back set on fire," said Miss Balderstone.

"The aggrieved in these charges volunteered to be the one."

The boy's back was sprayed with deodorant before the can was used as a flame thrower.

"The flames rushed up his back and went out without causing any injuries," she added.

Richard Prew, defending, said the incidents went back almost 12 months. "It has been difficult to reach the stage where my client pleads guilty because he doesn't really feel he has done anything wrong," said Mr Prew.

"I have explained that the law doesn't allow you to behave in this manner even with the other person's consent."

Mr Prew said LNDL initially had 10 members but this had grown to 25, all trying to outdo each other.

He added: "Jackass and its like are described as cult programmes and it is all legal and shown on TV to people like my client."