A FATHER-of-two who is accused of trying to incite a riot in Burnley via the social networking website Facebook is set to face crown court trial.

Christopher James Schofield, 26, from Nelson, appeared in court today accused of posting a message entitled ‘Riot Alert’ on the Facebook site last week.

The mechanic is charged, under section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007, with doing an act, by placing the message, which was capable of encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence, namely riot.

The message also allegedly read: ‘Meeting - Duke Bar - 8pm’.

The Duke Bar area was the scene of serious disturbances a decade ago.

Prosecutor Claire Grant said the case was not suitable for summary trial.

Schofield, of Eckroyd Close, did not enter a plea to the charge and the case was adjourned for transfer to Preston Crown Court.

District judge Peter Ward released him on bail on condition that he continued to live at his Nelson address and did not use the internet before his next court date.

Schofield is scheduled to be in the dock again on November 30.

But Mr Ward said it was likely, after the Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell, was notified of the case, that the hearing date would be brought forward.

Schofield was told by Mr Ward that, if convicted of the offence, he faced a maximum jail sentence of 10 years.

Comments are unavailable on this story for legal reasons