Nine face asylum riot charges

The trial is expected to last for three months

A brand new detention centre for asylum seekers was destroyed by a fire started during a riot, a jury has been told.

A large part of the £80m centre in Bedfordshire, designed to hold 900 asylum seekers, was burned down when fighting broke out on Valentine's Day 2002.

Group Four security staff were "threatened and intimidated" as gangs of detainees rampaged through the complex, Harrow Crown Court heard.

Nine people are facing charges relating to the disorder and all have pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.

Trouble started when a woman detainee was not allowed to attend a prayer meeting.

In the dock:

Lucky Jacobs, 23, Nigeria

Thomas Kalu, 32, Nigeria

Henry Momodou, 39, Nigeria

Agron Kastrioti, 20, Algeria

Beher Limani, 26, Albania

Gjerg Tuka, 25, Kosovo

Nassem Mosstaffa, 19, Algeria

Kayode Abdul,29, Nigeria

Klodjan Gabo,23, Albania

Male inmates saw her struggling with staff and becoming hysterical through a glass partition.

Prosecutor Nigel Rumfitt QC said: "The male detainees objected to what was happening and tried to break through the locked door.

"Groups of detainees, some wearing masks, smashed lights and security cameras."

He said that detainees not involved in the violence were subjected to a "terrifying ordeal".

In addition to the violent disorder charges, Nassem Mosstaffa and Henry Momodou also plead not guilty to a charge of arson, being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Mr Mosstaffa alone pleads not guilty to affray.

Earlier, Algerian-born Aliane Ahmed, 29, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder and was dealt with by Judge Roger Sanders.

Another, Petr Hrubes, 36, had been cleared of the count following legal argument.