AN 18-year-old charged with arson following a fire in Richmond town centre at the weekend has been committed to crown court.
Thomas Stephenson, from The Galleries, in Richmond, appeared at Northallerton Magistrates Court today accused of starting a fire that took hold in the shopping area of the town on Saturday.
He was charged with starting a fire that damaged 2 Rosemary Street, 4 Rosemary Street and 6 Rosemary Street, along with property numbers 18, 20, 22 and 24 on Finkle Street in Richmond. The damage is believed to be in excess of £100,000, the court heard.
The hearing was told the fire began in a wheelie bin near the Red Cross charity shop.
Mr Stephenson did not enter a plea and the case was transferred to crown court.
The defendant, dressed in a blue t-shirt and shorts, held his hands over his mouth and cried out and sobbed when magistrates announced he would not be given bail, before being led back to the cells by a security guard.
He was remanded in custody and will appear at Teesside Crown Court on June 22.
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