Jurors see Yarl's Wood

The trial is expected to last for three months

Jurors have been taken on a tour of a detention centre which was destroyed last year by asylum seekers.

During the visit to the Yarl's Wood complex in Bedfordshire, they were led past the site where Charlie and Delta wings stood before the Valentine's Day violence.

The 100 square metres of twisted metal girders and mounds of charred debris have been cleared since half the site was destroyed by fire 15 months ago.

The five women and seven men made the 110-mile round trip from Harrow Crown Court by coach.

All deny charges

They were accompanied by Judge Roger Sanders, prosecution counsel, defence teams, the court clerk, and ushers.

Six of the nine defendants also attended after being told they had the option to go. The accused are: Agron Kastrioti, 19, Behar Limani, 26, Jgergi Tuka, 25, Klodjan Gaba, 23, Thomas Kalu, 32, Lucky Jacobs, 23, Henry Momodou, 39, Kayode Abdul, 24, and Naseem Mosstaffa, 24.

All deny one count of violent disorder, with 29-year-old Ahmed Aliaine and others unknown between 13 and 16 February, 2002.

In addition Mr Mosstaffa and Mr Momodou deny an allegation of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, while Mr Mosstaffa also denies one charge of affray.

Equipment destroyed

The court has heard that there was "mayhem" at Yarl's Wood after Group 4, the private security firm running the Home Office facility, rapidly lost control.

Detainees - some masked and brandishing improvised weapons - roamed the complex, destroying lights, security cameras, furniture and files, the court has been told.

During Wednesday's two-hour tour, the jury saw the centre's Alpha and Brava wings, which were largely unoccupied at the time of the trouble and escaped damage.

The group was later driven back to Harrow.

The trial will resume on Friday when the first of the prosecution witnesses is expected to give evidence.