Two men including a Big Issue seller accused of stealing cash from a 23-year-old blind musician busking outside a Bangor shop were refused bail by a court.

Alan Fothergill, 43, of Plas Mabon, Maesgeirchen, Bangor, and Gary Williams, 51, of Love Lane, Bangor, denied theft – value unknown - in the city’s high street. Video has emerged on social media.

Magistrates at Llandudno accepted jurisdiction in the case.

The trial will take place in August and the pair were remanded in custody until Monday.

Prosecutor Diane Williams said the busker was outside WH Smith and he had a guide dog.

An eyewitness alleged Fothergill began helping the victim to pack up but handed money from the guitar case to Williams.

The prosecutor said they targeted a blind man and it was a “disability hate crime.”

Defence solicitor Andrew Hutchinson, for Fothergill, said the Big Issue seller had a “pitch” outside the shop and he knew the busker. A woman had videoed what occurred on a phone.

Mr Hutchinson said: "My client at no time has pocketed any of the money. He says ‘I gave it to Mr Williams’.”

On paper it was an “awful” offence but there was no evidence Fothergill took the cash, the lawyer maintained.

Eilian Williams, defending Gary Williams, said a “sneak” theft was alleged. “He says ‘I was present, I didn‘t act in any way dishonestly’,” the solicitor remarked.