A Kent schoolboy has denied sharing a banned far-right terror book.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, and a 15-year-old from South Derbyshire denied charges at Westminster Magistrates' Court today.

The Kent teenager is accused of disseminating The White Resistance Manual - a book which advocates setting up cells of white supremacist groups and waging guerilla warfare - in August by sending a link to it to others in August last year.

He is alleged to have been a member of group chat on the encrypted messaging site Telegram which was headed up, the court heard, by his co-defendant.

Standing before the court in a blue suit and black face mask and with his father present he spoke only to confirm his identity.

His 15-year-old, who was remanded in youth custody, appeared via video link to deny a similar charge of sharing a version of The Anarchist Cookbook - a publication which contain instructions on how to make explosives.

The court heard how he is now also charged with encouraging acts of terror.

But prosecutor Lee Ingham said: “This case is no longer just about sharing a terrorist publications in August last year. It is about actively encouraging terrorist activities.”

The pair's lawyers entered not guilty pleas to all charges on their behalf.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring set a trial date for June 28 - the hearing is expected to last three days.

The 15-year-old was remanded in custody while the 16-year-old was released on conditional bail.

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