At 11 they were angel-faced twins, who looked like they wouldn't hurt a fly.
But just a few years later Morgan and Ellie Cairns, now 14, were roaming the streets of the Callon estate where they lived in Preston intimidating local residents and business owners.
They had become the leaders of a gang called the 'Boom Girls' and terrorised their neighbourhood by spitting at residents, hurling racist abuse in the street, and vandalising properties.
They have now been handed Asbo-style injunctions by a youth court for their anti-social behaviour.
The gang would steal fruit and vegetables from local grocers' shops and pelted passing traffic and even turned off the gas supply at one victim's house, as a supposed prank.
Roaming in groups of up of 18, the girls sprayed graffiti over an ice cream van and would clamber on top of private buildings including flats, sheds and schools and start fires.
Once they even threatened to puncture a bouncy castle with a knife and steal face paints at a summer fete.
Morgan (left) and Ellie (right) Cairns, 14, were the leaders of a gang called the 'Boom Girls' who intimidated residents and business owners in their neighbourhood
Police, helped by council investigators, kept a dossier on the girls' activities which showed they had first come to the attention of officers aged just eight, and the and had been causing trouble for six years.
Details of the twins' terror campaign on the Callon estate and surrounding areas in Preston, Lancashire, emerged at the city's youth court where a judge issued them with a civil injunction for their anti-social behaviour.
Civil injunctions were introduced by the Coalition Government to supersede orders known as Asbos.
The judge threatened the twins with jail if they carry on their bad behaviour. The orders were granted with the approval of their own mother.
Despite the public shaming, the girls were reportedly wearing tracksuits in court with Ellie sporting a black eye and Morgan with scratches amid claims they had fought with each other the night before.
At 11 the twins looked like they wouldn't hurt a fly, but they became terrors of the neighbourhood
A judge at Preston's youth court issued the Cairns twins with a civil injunction for their anti-social behaviour
In a statement a mother-of-three who was targeted by the gang said: 'They vandalised my property, keyed my car, and threw food at me in the street, crisps or whatever they were eating.
'When they spat at me I found it particularly offensive. I was really upset - it brought me to tears. I became worried and anxious about letting my three sons play out. They made racist comments to my nieces and nephews.
'The group even stole my doorbell, it was found in the twin's house. They even turned off my gas meter. I couldn't figure out why I had no hot water one morning. We just want a peaceful life - yet we were left feeling threatened in our own home.'
The girls' gang would steal fruit and vegetables from local grocers' shops and pelted passing traffic and even turned off the gas supply at one victim's house, as a supposed prank
Shopkeeper Syed Shah said he suffered racist abuse with the gang stealing children's scooters from outside his shop, and throwing stones. One unnamed man living in a block of flats said the gang vandalised the flats and terrorised residents which left him suffering anxiety attacks.
Under the terms of the injunction the girls are barred from inciting or causing anti-social behaviour including swearing and spitting.
They also cannot possess lighters or matches, carry marker pens or spray paint in a public place unless for school purposes or be outdoors between 8pm and 7am unless with a family member.
They are also banned from their old haunts in Callon, Fishwick and Ribbleton, other than to use a certain bus stop or go to and from their home.
District Judge Jane Goodwin said: 'I'm satisfied the two young people have been a blight on the community over the last six years and the order would be more effective if the information was placed within the community.'
The girls roamed the streets of the Callon estate where they lived in Preston (pictured)
Insp Paul McLernon, of Lancashire Police said: 'I would like to thank everyone involved who has helped in obtaining these injunctions. I am happy that the orders have been granted.
'The behaviour of these two girls has caused significant distress to residents in the area.
'We hope the injunctions will prevent further incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour and reassure the community we have listened to their concerns.'
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