UK (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - TWO men will appear before a crown court judge accused of trying to burn down a Masjid.
Simon Beech, aged 23, and Gareth Foster, aged 28, appeared at North Staffordshire Magistrates Court yesterday charged with arson with intent to endanger life.
The allegations follow a blaze on December 3, which caused structural damage to the £1.6 million Masjid in Regent Road, Hanley, which is still being built.
Beech, of Hilton Road, Hartshill, and Foster, of Hartshill Road, Stoke, are accused of committing the offence between December 1 and December 4, 2010.
They both face a further charge of arson being reckless as to whether property would be destroyed and damaged and being reckless as to whether lives would be endangered.
Foster is also accused of producing five cannabis plants on December 9 last year.
The magistrates granted both men conditional bail until their appearance at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on April 1.
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