Two security guards have denied false imprisonment after a 15-year-old boy was handcuffed on the ground at a Superdrug.

Jake De-Geus, 29, from Chichester, and Edwin Hirst, 39, from Fareham, Hampshire, are charged in relation to an incident in East Street, Chichester, on March 22 this year.

The pair appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on November 21 to deny the charges which were brought by the Crown Prosecution Service in September.

Hirst is also accused of assault by beating in relation to another teenager who was with the 15-year-old. He denied the charge.

The Argus: Jake De-Geus is charged with false imprisonmentJake De-Geus is charged with false imprisonment (Image: PA)

READ MORE: Men charged after Superdrug social media video

In court, the pair spoke only to confirm their names and addresses and to deny the charges.

A date for a trial was fixed for August next year.

The Argus: Edwin Hirst is charged with false imprisonment and assault by beatingEdwin Hirst is charged with false imprisonment and assault by beating (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA)

De-Geus and Hirst were both working as high-street “rangers” for Chichester Business Improvement District (BID) at the time of the incident on March 22 this year.

His Honour Judge Michael Bowes KC said: “This will be tried by a circuit judge.

“I think if we allow six days [for a trial] that will be sensible.”

Addressing the defendants, Judge Bowes KC said: “Your trial is now fixed for August 19 for next year and you will both remain on unconditional bail.”