A teenagerhas appeared in court to deny the manslaughter of grandfather Arthur Lonsdale in a firework attack.

Mr Lonsdale, 52, died in Sunderland Royal Hospital on October 30 last year, two days after a 36-cm firework - known as a Little Brother - was pushed through his door in Westerham Close, Witherwack.

The 16-year-old accused, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter during a short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court today.

No trial date was set and the case will be back before the court next Friday for a date to be listed.

The youth was granted conditional bail in the meantime but must abide by an electronically tagged curfew, have no contact with prosecution witnesses, and must not enter Sunderland city centre except by prior appointment with his solicitor or other official.

He must also live at an undisclosed address which has been provided to the court.

Judge David Hodson made an order under the Children and Young Persons Act preventing publication of any information leading to the identity of the accused teenager.