TWO brothers have appeared in court accused of stealing roof slates.

Ashley Turton, 24, and Stephen Turton, 26, were before Kirklees magistrates.

The pair, of Wood Terrace in Primrose Hill, face two charges of theft.

They are alleged to have stolen stone roof slates worth £500 from a Batley property on July 18.

The brothers are also accused of stealing slates to the same value from a Liversedge property on July 23.

They deny the charges and were due to stand trial at the Huddersfield court.

However, magistrates were yesterday asked to refix the trial to another date as a witness was unavailable.

Their trial will now take place on February 18.

Ashley was granted unconditional bail, while Stephen was told to comply with the Drugs Intervention Programme.

Another co-accused man, Gareth Lightowler, was due in court.

Magistrates issued a warrant without bail for Lightowler, of Park Parade in Dewsbury, after he failed to show.