A 15-year-old boy appeared in court today accused of raping and trying to kill a woman during a break-in at her Belfast home.
He was allegedly armed with a hammer, screwdriver and Stanley knife during the attack in the north of the city.
A second youth, aged 16, was also charged with attempted murder and aiding in the sex assault.
Both teenagers who cannot be named for legal reasons, face a further charge of stealing a handbag containing a purse, cash and credit cards.
The pair, from the north of the city, were arrested by police investigating the rape of a woman (36) last Friday. She was allegedly beaten and sexually assaulted after waking to find two intruders in the bedroom of her home in the Brookvale area of the city.
As a detective constable told Belfast Magistrates Court he could connect both of the accused with the crimes.
The officer confirmed that when charged with attempted murder the 15-year-old replied: "I didn't try and kill anybody." He gave no answer to the rape allegation but in response to the third offence he said: "I didn't steal any of this."
The 16-year-old defendant made no reply to any of the charges, the court heard. His lawyer said his client "vehemently denies these charges; in particular he denies that he took part in the physical attack on the unfortunate injured party".
Both youths were remanded in custody to appear again via videolink on April 19th.