Three men have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of stealing power tools in Biggleswade and elsewhere.

James Connors, 23, of Carlsbrooke Road in Mitcham, Surrey, and Jason Connors, 21, of Longreading Lane in Slough, Berkshire, appeared at Hatfield Remand Court on Wednesday, as did Owen McDonagh, 21, of Newby Place in east London.

All three denied three counts of stealing power tools and a charge of possessing false number plates in connection with theft – with Mr McDonagh denying a fifth accusation of damaging a Herts police perspex shield while in custody.

Prosecutors claim that the trio were found with false number plates in Biggleswade.

They are accused of two power tool thefts in Biggleswade and a third in Ware between Sunday and Tuesday this week, with the perspex shield damage said to have happened while Mr McDonagh was in custody in Stevenage on Tuesday.

Magistrates chaired by George Baxter bailed the trio to appear for trial at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on May 30.

Under their bail conditions each of the three men must live and sleep each night at his home address, with an electronically-monitored curfew imposed for all three from 7pm to 7am.

They are also forbidden to contact each other in any way.