A MAN has appeared in court accused of stealing items from a B&Q storage area.

More than £15,000 worth of Makita drill sets were stolen from close to the store during a series of raids.

Stephen Baldwin, 54, is accused of one of the burglaries when it is claimed he took about £1,600 worth of goods from the storage area in Lightship Way, Colchester.

Baldwin, of Penrice Close, Colchester, denied one count of burglary, which he is accused of carrying out on November 26, when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Baldwin was released on bail at the court yesterday.

He will next appear at Ipswich Crown Court on March 14 when a formal plea hearing will be held.