THREE inmates have admitted charges arising from a riot which left part of a young offenders’ institution (YOI) out of control of prison authorities for several hours earlier this year.

The disturbance broke out following an association period at Deerbolt YOI, near Barnard Castle, on Sunday March 8.

During the unrest prison officers were forced to retreat under a hail of pool balls and other weaponry, fires were started in some cells, and an inmate was badly injured by fellow detainees.

It was only the intervention of a specially trained response team which helped to restore order, but not before damage costing several thousands of pounds was caused to the affected parts of the institution.

Several inmates were arrested amid inquiries into the disturbance and three appeared at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court via video link from different penal establishments where they are now housed since their transfer from Deerbolt in the wake of the incident.

Adam Rochelle, 21, Liam James Browitt, 20, and 19-year-old Cade Barker, now in Holme House, at Stockton, Swinfen Hall, in Staffordshire, and Durham prisons, respectively, are all charged with prison mutiny, doing acts with others to overthrow their lawful detention in custody.

They are also accused of causing the grievous bodily harm of another inmate, who suffered a fractured skull.

All three defendants admitted both charges, but each denied a third allegation, that they unlawfully detained a further inmate against his will during the incident.

Rupert Doswell, for the prosecution, said: “I anticipate those pleas will be acceptable, but I’ll take instructions, with sufficient confidence that this case should just, now, be listed for sentence.

“The court and defence will be notified in due course to confirm that course.”

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned the hearing to allow for preparation of backgrounds reports on all three defendants prior to sentence.

But he told them that it is “inevitable” they will receive “significant” custodial sentences, on top of the sentences they were already serving, at the time of the incident.

The trio will remain in custody prior to the sentencing hearing, on November 27.