Three suspects go on trial over Cologne New Year crimes

The first trials are opening in Germany of people charged over New Year's Eve crimes in Cologne, with three men going to court on theft charges.

The spate of thefts and assaults on women outside Cologne's main station, blamed largely on foreigners, caused public uproar as Germany deals with a huge influx of migrants. More than 1,000 criminal complaints were filed, more than 400 of which alleged crimes of a sexual nature.

Neither of the two trials scheduled in Cologne on Wednesday involves allegations of sexual assaults.

A 23-year-old Moroccan man is accused of stealing a mobile phone from a woman as she photographed the city's cathedral.

In a separate case, a 22-year-old Tunisian and an 18-year-old Moroccan are charged with stealing a camera from a man.