This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Four teenage boys have denied harassing two women in a homophobically aggravated attack after the women refused to kiss on a bus.

Two 17-year-olds, a 16-year-old and a 15-year-old appeared at Highbury Corner youth court in London on Wednesday and entered not guilty pleas to a charge of causing harassment by using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.

Melania Geymonat, 28, and her girlfriend, Christine Hannigan, were allegedly targeted by the four teenagers in the early hours of 30 May on the top deck of a double-decker bus in Camden.

The court heard that the boys moved from the back of the bus to surround the women and began making sexual gestures. During the incident, shortly after 2.15am, the boys are said to have demanded the women kiss and perform sexual acts. When the women refused, the four boys are said to have thrown coins at them.

Both women were taken to hospital with facial injuries after the incident.

The 16-year-old, from Wandsworth, London, admitted stealing a handbag but denied handling a stolen Google Pixel mobile phone. The 15-year-old, from Kensington and Chelsea, denied handling a stolen bank card.

Both 17-year-olds are also from Kensington and Chelsea, and one denied possession of cannabis.

The four will appear again at Highbury Corner youth court for a two-day trial starting on 28 November. Both of the women and the bus driver are expected to give evidence.