THE case against inmates accused of causing £40,000 damage during a riot at a Suffolk young offenders' institution is set to come to a close today.Basildon Crown Court has been told that a group of youths tried to take control of part of Hollesley Bay Prison, near Woodbridge.

By Richard Cornwell

THE case against inmates accused of causing £40,000 damage during a riot at a Suffolk young offenders' institution is set to come to a close today.

Basildon Crown Court has been told that a group of youths tried to take control of part of Hollesley Bay Prison, near Woodbridge.

The prosecution said chairs and tables were smashed up to create makeshift weapons as the rioters rampaged through a wing of the prison.

Before the court are Ali Kanuga, Andrew Friel, Tony Norman, Graham Glencross, Grant O'Neil, and three teenagers who cannot be named by order of the court. They have all denied prison mutiny.

The court heard that the disturbance, which happened in November 2000, started as part of a protest about the amount of time prisoners were allowed to socialise in communal parts of the institution.

Prison officers specially trained to deal with a jail mutiny were called in to diffuse the situation.

The case is expected to be completed today.