The man will stand trial
A Co Antrim man was today ordered to stand trial accused of rioting in the summer of 2024.
James Robert Neil Thompson, 39, of Carnreagh Bend, Newtownabbey, appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court for an arraignment hearing.
When a charge of riotously assembling with others on July 16, 2024, was put to him by the court clerk, Thompson replied: “Not guilty.”
He further pleaded not guilty to the offence of intentionally exposing his genitals “intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress” on the same date.
Judge Neil Rafferty KC enquired what the defence case was to the two charges that Thompson faced.
Defence barrister Kelly Doherty replied that it was an “identification issue”.
She confirmed to the court that she had viewed the video and stills in the case and intended to have discussions with the prosecution over the next two weeks.
A Crown lawyer told the court that there were potentially ten witnesses in the case but there were issues around their availability for a trial for the first two months in 2026.
Following legal submissions, Judge Rafferty set the trial date for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
The case will be reviewed early next month.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here
#Alleged #rioter #pleads #guilty #exposing #genitals
