A 12-YEAR-OLD boy appeared in court yesterday where he denied causing criminal damage to a Newport church.

The boy, who can not be named, pleaded not guilty at Cwmbran Youth Court to damaging the metal shutters at Newport City Church between December 23 and December 29 last year causing £4,300 worth of damage.

The boy denied causing damage to either the shutters or the windows.

He will stand trial at Cwmbran Youth Court on April 10 and was released on conditional bail.