A MAN accused of tying up a mum while her 11-month-old baby was in the cot next to her has appeared in court charged with a string of burglaries.

Conor Ashton, 23, entered no plea at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court to two counts of aggravated burglary and five burglaries going equipped to steal.

The court heard each of the incidents is said to taken place in the Greenstead area of Colchester.

Richard Murrison, prosecuting, outlined the alleged offences - one in 2014 and the rest between March and August this year – which all involved female victims.

He told the court: “The victims not only had their property emptied, but their underwear drawers had been rooted around in and some personal property too. Also, wine had been drunk and hot chocolate was made on one occasion.”

In one of the alleged offences, the court heard a balaclava-clad raider threatened a mum at knifepoint and tied her up while her 11-month-old son was in a cot next to her bed.

Brian King, chairman of the bench, described the alleged offences as “extremely serious”.

Magistrates refused to grant Ashton, of Purcell Close, Colchester, bail.

They also declined jurisdiction of the case.

He will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing in October.