Man denies religious offence over burning of Quran

Hamit Coskun was filmed burning the holy book near the Turkish consulate

A man has denied religiously motivated harassment after a Quran was burned outside the Turkish consulate in central London.

Hamit Coskun, 50, from Derby, was charged following the alleged incident in Knightsbridge on Thursday.

Footage posted on social media appeared to show a man burning a book outside the consulate's barrier.

A man is then seen lying on the ground as someone kicks him and slashes towards him with a knife before walking away.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, Mr Coskun spoke through an interpreter as he entered not guilty pleas.

He was released on conditional bail and will appear before the same court for trial on 28 May.

A second man, Moussa Kadri, 59, from Kensington and Chelsea, has been charged with causing actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.

He is due at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.