Teens sentenced to apology on YouTube

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla., June 11 (UPI) -- Two Florida teenagers who posted a YouTube video showing them tossing soda in the face of a fast-food worker have had to show their own faces online in apology.

The popular "fire in the hole" video had generated millions of hits and sparked copycat assaults elsewhere. But the Merritt Island boys, aged 15 and 16, were caught and ordered by Brevard Circuit Court Judge Morgan Reinman to post an apology on YouTube, the Orlando Sentinel reported Wednesday.

"We thought it would be funny to victimize restaurant employees by drenching them with ice-cold soda," one of the teens said in the video. "We take this opportunity to apologize to the victims and take full responsibility for our irresponsible behavior."

Each teenager was found guilty of two counts of battery and one count of criminal mischief -- misdemeanor charges that will be dropped when they complete a diversion program and serve 100 hours of community service as well as sending letters to the victim.