TWO teenagers appeared in court yesterday charged with racially aggravated harassment.

George Jeffries, 18, of Zetland Road, Stockton, and a 16-year-old girl from Hartlepool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Hartlepool magistrates.

The 16-year-old is also charged with racially aggravated criminal damage.

The incident is alleged to have taken place on December 8, last year at the Indian Cottage Restaurant, Hartlepool.

The pair are accused of abusing staff with racial language and swearing after one of them tried to sell a mobile phone in the restaurant.

As they were leaving, it is alleged the girl smashed a window of the restaurant.

Both teenagers pleaded of not guilty, and a trial has been set for June.