Three teens yesterday denied setting fire to the Harrington Sound Primary School in February, causing a million dollars worth of damage.

The boys, all aged 15, pleaded not guilty in Juvenile Court to three charges of school breaking, arson, and setting fire to paper knowing it would likely start a fire.

The boys were released on $500 bail with one surety and will return to court on June 23 when the case will be mentioned again.

The boys, who are from Smith's Parish and Pembroke, were dressed in their school uniforms and were each accompanied by their parents.

Lawyers, Saul Froomkin, Delroy Duncan, and Richard Horseman represented the other boys.

Due to restrictions set out in the Young Offenders Act of 1950, the names and addresses of juveniles involved in court cases cannot be published.

But yesterday sparks flew when Mr. Froomkin took issue with Magistrate Carlisle Greaves handling of the hearing.

Mr. Froomkin questioned why Mr. Greaves was being "antagonistic'' when for the second time the magistrate turned to Police prosecutor Insp. Peter Giles for direction rather than take Mr. Froomkin's suggestion of an adjournment.

"I'm not being antagonistic to anyone, I'm just following order,'' Mr.

Greaves replied. "In these courts the prosecutor handles the case and how it flows. Anyway, let's be nice.'' Earlier, Mr. Froomkin interrupted Mr. Greaves as he was about to read the charges the boys faced.

Mr. Froomkin said: "We can't enter a plea until we have the allegations. I suggest we put the matter over for a month.'' But Mr. Greaves would have none of it and said: "I don't agree. A man has a right to hear the charge before he can put whatever plea he has. Look, these things have been hanging around since February 19.'' Mr. Greaves recently changed his mind about allowing the media in court after reading the law. Shortly after taking over the Family Court in October, he imposed a ban on reporters.

FIRE FIR