<The gang is accused of stealing bags from cars>

A gang including a teenage boy have gone on trial accused of carrying out a string of bag thefts from cars in Sussex.

The three - a 13-year-old boy and two men, Matthew Beaver and John Alan Lee, both 37 - were allegedly involved in four thefts from cars in April and May of 1999.

It is claimed they were involved in thefts in North Chailey, Upper Beeding, Alciston and Arlington in April and May this year, Lewes Crown Court was told.

The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied one count of theft while Beaver, of Upper Chalvington Place, Brighton, and Lee, of Northway, Burgess Hill, both pleaded not guilty to four charges of theft.

Lawrence Henderson, prosecuting, said the gang had been seen on four occasions by plain-clothes police officers around the county.

He said on each occasion they had either seen windows smashed by one of the gang or heard breaking glass.

Bags were found to be missing from the vehicles after the attacks.

The court heard none of the three would give interviews after they were arrested at Alfriston.

Mr Henderson said when Beaver was charged he claimed all police officers were corrupt and that he had been framed.

The trial continues.