Two men alleged to have encouraged copycat attacks in the wake of the Christchurch shootings appeared in court today.

Morgan Seales, 19, of Turner Avenue, South Shields, and Gabriele Longo, 26, of Burdock Close, Crawley, West Sussex, allegedly communicated on the WhatsApp group Christian White Militia and published statements encouraging terrorism between March 16 and 19.

Their plea and trial preparation was listed today and they remain in custody.