Violent disorder suspects across the country could face more serious charges following the recent nationwide unrest after a 15-year-old North East boy became the first person to be charged with riot.

The Sunderland teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at South Tyneside Youth Court on Thursday but his case was adjourned for two weeks following what a district judge called a “surprise” charging decision.

Rioting is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison – double that of a charge of violent disorder.

The PA news agency understands riot charges are something the CPS is looking at nationally, as well as in the North East.

The boy, from Sunderland, is accused of riot following disorder in his home city on August 2 after having pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary on Saturday.

Chris Wilson, defending, asked for an adjournment of two weeks to discuss the evidence fully with the boy.

He said the situation “doesn’t sit comfortably with me, professionally or personally”.

“Clearly there are complex issues, and those issues may well have far wider repercussions,” Mr Wilson said.

District Judge Zoe Passfield adjourned the boy’s case until September 2 as she said the new charge must have come as a “surprise” to him.

She told the teenager: “The prosecution now want to bring a further charge of riot.

“It is an unusual situation when a new charge is brought after the person has pleaded guilty and it opens up complications that I and the lawyers need to consider carefully.

“I am sure what has happened today has come as a surprise, and will be confusing for you.”

Wearing a black shirt and trousers, the boy sat at the back of the courtroom with his mother throughout the hearing. His father watched from the public gallery.

Gale Gilchrist, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, said: “This defendant is one of a number of individuals who we expect will be charged with riot.”

A senior officer at Northumbria Police said if an individual may have been involved in further criminality, they will “be brought before the courts again and charged with the most serious offence possible”.

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson said: “I hope this sends a really strong message that, no matter how old you are, if you took part in the recent appalling events in Sunderland, you will face really serious charges.

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“The team have worked amazingly quickly, with our criminal justice partners, to arrest those responsible and bring them before the courts.

“However, as that evidence picture continues to build, if it becomes apparent that an individual may have been involved in further criminality, they will be brought before the courts again and charged with the most serious offence possible.”

29 people have been arrested, 18 charged, and 17 convicted since the investigation was launched – with six jailed for their involvement to date.

Anyone who has any information to assist in identifying those responsible should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use the live chat function on the Force’s website.

Alternatively, for those unable to contact police via these ways, call 101.

Members of the public can also provide information and submit materials in connection with the investigation by visiting Northumbria Police’s dedicated Major Incident Public Portal online at: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)