A MAN has appeared in court in connection with a stand-off with police which brought part of Darlington town centre to a standstill at the weekend.

Nathan Young has been charged with a series of offences - including two charges of arson with intent to endanger life and two counts of criminal damage - following the incident in the Bondgate area of the town on Saturday (April 25).

Roof tiles and chimney bricks were thrown at police officers protected by riot shields from the roof of a sex shop.

Police cordoned the area off and the incident came to an end after two hours when trained negotiators succeeded in talking the man down.

Young, dressed in a dark hooded top, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court yesterday morning (Monday, April 27).

He spoke only to confirm his name and address.

The 24-year-old has been charged with arson with the intent to endanger life and the alternative of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, following a fire at a house in Rydal Road, Darlington, on Saturday.

He faces a similar charge in connection with a blaze at the recently-refurbished Majestic soft play centre5.

Young is further accused of "destroying a Ford Focus intending to do it or being reckless as to whether it would be destroyed or damaged".

Young was also charged with criminal damage to the roof of the Simply Pleasure sex shop. The damage amounted to £320, the court was told.

Finally, he is accused of using or threatening unlawful violence to another in Darlington in the same date. No pleas were entered.

Young, of Stockton Flats, Hartington Road, Stockton, was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, May 11.