A TEENAGER has pleaded not guilty to organising a house party in breach of coronavirus rules.

Isaac Parsons, 19, is accused of having held a party at his home in Devizes on September 4 last year that was attended by more than 30 people. Police said at the time that the party was attended by an estimated 80 to 100 people.

The teenager, whose address was given in court documents as Wick Lane, Devizes, has been charged under the Coronavirus Regulations. At the time, it was an offence to hold a gathering of more than 30 people in a private dwelling.

Parsons had been due before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court this afternoon to answer the single charge – the first of its type to come before the Wiltshire courts.

He was not present in person and instead entered his not guilty plea through his solicitor.

The matter was set down for a case management hearing before District Judge Joanna Dickens at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on March 15. Parsons will not be required to attend that hearing.

Ryan Seneveratne appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service.