Only one of four boys will face charges over fire

Charges against three schoolboys over a fire at a derelict former nightclub in Limavady have been dropped, but a fourth will be prosecuted, a judge has heard.

Four teenagers, three 12-year-olds and one 14-year-old, were initially charged following the blaze at the former Sweet nightclub on Catherine Street on 30 May.

At Coleraine Youth Court on Thursday, a prosecutor told District Judge Peter King that a case would only proceed for one of the boys.

More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze, and it was eventually brought under control in the early hours of Friday 31 May.

The 12-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, had originally been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and burglary with intent to cause damage.

He will now be prosecuted for arson and burglary with intent to steal.

Crews from Coleraine, Limavady, Londonderry, Dungiven, Strabane, Magherafelt, Maghera and Castlederg all attended the fire and residents living nearby had to evacuate the area after asbestos was found in the roof tiles.

In court, defence counsel said he would be contacting the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to ascertain if there was a possibility of staging a diversionary youth conference.

That is a meeting or meetings, involving the young person, family members and in most cases, the victim or their representative.

The district judge put the case back for two weeks.