A man accused of burgling the West Cumbrian home of a couple with a premature baby and also trying to break into the house of a serving police officer has appeared in court.
John Porter, 42, faces a total of six charges arising out of incidents which are said to have occurred during the early hours of Saturday.
This follows reports to police about crimes on the edge of Workington at Ling Close, Northside, and also at properties in the Main Road area of nearby Seaton.
Porter appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court this morning, when prosecutor George Shelley alleged that offences were committed at four separate addresses between 4am and 6am on December 17.
Porter faces two charges which allege burglary. One concerns an address at Main Road, Seaton, which was occupied by a couple with a premature baby. Property valued at £200 — including clothing, two pairs of headphones, a games console box and console game — are alleged to have been stolen.
The second attempted burglary charge relates to the shed in the Seaton area and theft of a jacket and walking stick with a total value of around £100.
Two more charges allege attempted burglary with intent to steal with Mr Shelley telling the court that one of the addresses belonged to a serving police officer.
Two additional charges allege the possession of cocaine and cannabis.
Porter, of Jackson Road, Workington, spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address when he appeared in the dock in front of magistrates.
He was represented by lawyer John Cooper. No pleas were entered to any of the charges.
Mr Cooper made an application for bail which was refused by the three magistrates.
Porter’s case was committed to Carlisle Crown Court, where he is due to appear in front of a judge on January 16.
In the meantime he will remain remanded in custody.
