Boy, 15, denies burglary during Liverpool riots

Disorder erupted in Liverpool city centre on 3 August

A 15-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to burglary, in connection with rioting that broke out after three girls were killed in Southport.

The boy, from Liverpool, who cannot be named because of his age, is accused of stealing a vape from a shop in the city centre, which had its windows smashed during unrest on 3 August.

The boy, who appeared at Liverpool Youth Court, said he picked it up from the street and not inside the shop itself.

He spoke only to plead not guilty to the charge of burglary and confirm his name and address.

Lawyers for the boy indicated he would accept the lesser charge of theft.

He was given bail on the condition he stays at his parents' house in Liverpool overnight.

A trial has been set for the same court on 14 November.

Merseyside Police said 27 people have been charged over unrest in region, which followed the fatal stabbings of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar at a Taylor Swift-themed event on 29 July.

In the days after, violent disorder erupted in towns and cities across the UK, causing injuries to officers and widespread damage.