A man has had his criminal charge "upgraded" after rioting in Sunderland last month. 

Ashley Mark Wilkinson, 35, of Murton, County Durham, has been charged in relation to the disorder that took place in Sunderland on August 2 this year.

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a charge of riot against Wilkinson, upgraded from an earlier charge of violent disorder. 

Christopher Atkinson, Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS North East, said: "The defendant previously faced a charge of violent disorder but, following a further review of his case, this has now been upgraded to the more serious charge of riot.

"The defendant is one of a number of individuals who we expect will be charged with riot. As these are live proceedings, we remind all concerned that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Ashley Mark Wilkinson will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday 8 November.