A YOUNG mum from Clacton and a Colchester man have appeared in court accused of trying to start a riot.

At Colchester Magistrates Court on Thursday, Elisha Smithers, 18, from Carnavon Road, Clacton, denied encouraging the commission of an indictable offence during nationwide rioting earlier this month.

Her solicitor said comments made by Blackberry Messenger were a joke.

She has been banned from using social networking sites until her next court appearance in October.

In a separate case Tommy Tucker, 20, was remanded in custody after being accused of encouraging the commission of an indictable offence.

The court heard he is accused of sending two messages on Blackberry messenger between August 7 and 10 which were intercepted by police.

Tucker did not enter a plea and will appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on November 7.

Essex Police had originally said his offences were linked to an attempt to start a water fight.

The force now says it was a different person who encouraged the water fight and that suspect has now been released without charge.