TWO men charged in connection with a botched raid of a cash machine have been given a date for their trial.

Last month an ATM was targeted at the BP Service Station, Vineyard, Abingdon and efforts made to steal it.

Two men were later arrested by Thames Valley Police in connection with the attempted theft and charged with three counts in relation.

The pair, David Begalov, 32, and Goga Kakitadze, 35, both of no fixed abode, made their first appearance at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Both are charged with one count of theft, another of going equipped for theft, and a third of attempted theft in connection with the incident which is alleged to have taken place on April 3 this year.

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Prosecutors claim that the men first made a failed bid to steal the cash machine belonging to Cardtronics UK Ltd before stealing items nearby to help them in their endeavour.

Those items, the court heard, included a petrol disc cutter and towing chain.

The final charge of going equipped for theft relates to allegations that the pair had in their possession those stolen items as a means to try to steal the cash machine.

At the hearing yesterday Begalov, with the assistance of a Russian interpreter, entered not guilty pleas to all three counts.

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Kakitadze meanwhile, who had the aid of a Georgian interpreter at the hearing, denied the single count of going equipped for theft.

Once the pleas had been entered prosecutor Cathy Olliver said that both men will next face a trial to be held at the same court.

A trial date was agreed for July 29 this year, with a time estimate of between two and three days.

A further review hearing is expected to take place before the trial and both men were remanded in custody the meantime.