16 year-old denies attempted murder after Southend violence
The boy will go on trial in January
A 16-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder after violence broke out in Southend and will go on trial next year .
He was one of a group of teenagers who were charged after youths, some brandishing machetes, fought on the seafront on the evening of July 30.
The 16 year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke only to confirm his identity and to enter his pleas at Basildon Crown Court yesterday.
He denied the attempted murder of an unknown person.
He also denied wounding with intent, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
He admitted violent disorder and possession of a prohibited firearm, a revolver.
Judge Samantha Leigh remanded him into youth detention and he faces a trial, provisionally due to start on January 20.
She said the time estimate for the trial - alongside other defendants - is up to six weeks and she set a pre-trial review hearing for the week commencing December 16.
Prosecutor Godfried Duah told an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court that a machete or large knife was spotted after the disorder broke out as families enjoyed the summer holiday sunshine.
Police later seized a number of weapons including knives and a gun.
Eight more defendants appeared alongside the 16-year-old at Thursday's plea hearing, some in person in the secure dock and others by video-link from custody.
A 14-year-old boy admitted violent disorder and possession of a machete in a public place.
He denied conspiracy to cause GBH and wounding with intent.
A 17-year-old boy admitted violent disorder and possession of a machete in a public place.
He denied conspiracy to cause GBH and wounding with intent.
Mekai Brown, 18, of South Woodford, east London, admitted violent disorder.
He denied conspiracy to cause GBH and wounding with intent.
Tyler Omo-Irogho, 18, of Watford, admitted assaulting an emergency worker, a police constable.
He denied two counts of violent disorder, conspiracy to cause GBH, wounding with intent and possession of a machete in a public place.
Michael King, 18, of South Woodford, east London, admitted violent disorder and conspiracy to cause GBH.
He denied wounding with intent.
A 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy denied violent disorder, conspiracy to cause GBH, wounding with intent and possession of a machete in a public place.
A 17-year-old boy admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place.
He denied violent disorder, conspiracy to cause GBH and wounding with intent.
The judge remanded all of them until the provisional trial date.