A TRIAL against a boy accused of setting fire to the former school of Stan Laurel has been discontinued after another youth admitted starting the blaze.
A 16-year-old from Evenwood in County Durham was due to appear at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, accused of arson at the grade II-listed building at King James I Community Arts College.
But the case was abandoned after his co-accused, a 15-year-old from Newton Aycliffe, changed his plea to guilty on Monday.
The future of the 143-year-old building, known as The Laurel Building, is uncertain, but campaigners hope it can be saved.
The comedy legend was a boarder there between 1902 and 1903, but it has been empty since 2000.
Durham County Council, which owns the building, will consider a report on the future of the building later this month.
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