Belfast teenagers deny theft of £10 Somme flag

Joseph Donnelly and Padraig McCabe, both aged 18, pleaded not guilty as they appeared together in court.

The pair are charged with theft of the flag, valued at £10, from a location in the city on June 12 this year.

Donnelly, of New Barnsley Drive, and McCabe, from Westrock Park, confirmed their attitude at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

No details of the alleged offence were disclosed during the brief hearing.

But both defendants issued their denials as the charge was put to them.

CCTV recordings are expected to feature heavily at their trial, to be held at a later date.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall said the prosecution case will “stand or fall” on footage from the alleged scene.

With a date for the contested hearing due to be fixed next month, Donnelly and McCabe were released on continuing bail.