Two teenagers appeared in court yesterday to answer to charges of arson.

The youngsters, 18 and 15, cannot be named by court order. The older youth was accused of encouraging the 15-year-old to set fire to a soft drinks vending machine in Birzebbuga on 16 October 2005 in the early hours of the morning.

The 15-year-old is accused of actually setting fire to the machine and of causing more than Lm1,000 damage to the detriment of General Soft Drinks.

Both pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Saviour Demicoli presided over the court. Police inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted. Dr Franco Debono and Dr Chris Belizzi prosecuted.