A MENSTRIE man has appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court charged with prising open a telephone box with a pick axe.

The 20-year-old denied the allegation, along with further charges of struggling with police officers and drug possession, during a hearing on Monday (23 February).

The alleged incident is reported to have taken place on 4 October 2014 in Tullibody, when he was still a teenager.

The accused, while acting with another person unknown to the prosecutor, is alleged to have prised open a public telephone box with intent to steal at the Orchard.

He is also charged with shouting, swearing, uttering threats of violence, struggling violently with police and lashing out with his arms and legs.

Finally, he is alleged to have been in possession of diazepam while at Stirling Police Office.

He maintained his plea of not guilty and is to face trial on 23 March.