A MAN and a teenager have appeared in court charged in connection with the attempted theft of lead from the roof of a church.

Mark Hendron, 27, of Twyford Close, Swindon, appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with one count of attempted theft.

The charge relates to an attempt to steal lead from the roof of the Church of St John the Baptist in Abingdon Road, Kingston Bagpuize between June 17 and June 18.

Hendron denied the charge and has been released on bail to stand trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on October 31.

He appeared alongside a 17-year-old, also from Swindon, who cannot be named because of his age. He pleaded guilty to the same charge.

The 17-year-old will be sentenced at Swindon Youth Court on September 2 and has been released on unconditional bail until then.