BAIL proceedings have begun for two of seven teenagers charged with murder following a death at the Houghton Feast celebration earlier this month.

All the accused, aged 14 to 17, were arrested after a confrontation in which Jack Woodley suffered life-threatening injuries, near the Britannia Inn, Houghton-le-Spring, on October 16.

The death of the 18-year-old, brought up in Newton Aycliffe, but who recently moved to the Sunderland area, was confirmed by police the following night.

Four of the seven accused were remanded in youth custody and the remaining three in local authority care, after their first court appearance.

When they appeared at Newcastle Crown Court two days later, three by video link from HMP Wetherby, Judge Paul Sloan, was told four defendants planned to make bail applications.

He told counsel for both the defence and prosecution that submissions must be made prior to a further hearing at the court, yesterday.

That hearing was told two of the applications have now been withdrawn, leaving only two seeking interim bail.

Judge Sloan adjourned both until next week.

The next time all seven are due before the court is for a pre-trial hearing when they are expected to offer pleas, on November 17.

A provisional trial date has been set for the case, starting at the court on March 1.

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