Boy, 15, to face riot charge trial

A riot broke out in Sunderland on 2 August

A 15-year-old boy, who was the first defendant in the country to be charged with riot following disorder in the summer, is due to go on trial in December.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had admitted a charge of violent disorder and burglary of a vape shop in Sunderland on 2 August.

But the Crown Prosecution Service later announced he would be charged with the more serious offence of riot, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The youth, who is from Sunderland, appeared on Friday at Newcastle Crown Court where he did not enter a plea to the riot charge.

Judge Tim Gittins set a date of 2 December for the trial, which is expected to last two days.

The teenager attended court with his mother and was remanded into local authority accommodation ahead of the next hearing on 8 November.