Jon Birch accused of five Colchester town centre burglaries

John Birch is accused of targeting Boots in Lion Walk, Colchester, twice and two raids on HMV in the Culver Square Shopping Centre.

He also allegedly broke into health store Holland Barrett in Long Wyre Street.

In each instance glass in windows and doors to the stores were smashed, the shops entered and goods taken away.

The first raid took place at Boots last Tuesday where perfumes and aftershaves worth £950 were stolen.

On this occasion, he is jointly charged with Christopher Piper, 41, who allegedly acted as a lookout while Birch, 40, took the goods.

Then last Thursday, Birch, of East Hill, Colchester, is accused of breaking into HMV and stealing £950 speakers.

On Sunday, he allegedly broke into both Boots and HMV taking perfume, aftershave and dental products to an unknown value and turntables worth £400.

Finally, protein powders and various vitamins worth £100 were taken from Holland and Barrett on Monday.

All of the burglaries took place late at night while the shops were closed and no staff were inside.

Birch did not enter a plea to five counts of burglary at Colchester Magistrates’ Court. Piper also indicated no plea to his single burglary charge.

However, Piper, of no fixed address, is also accused of the attempted theft of £120 worth of DVDs from HMV on March 15.

He denies the accusation.

Magistrates accepted jurisdiction of the attempted theft trial, but felt their powers were insufficient for the series of burglaries.

Birch was remanded in custody until a plea and trial preparation hearing at Ipswich Crown Court on April 24.

Piper was granted conditional bail until the next hearing.

However he was ordered to have no contact with Birch during the next month, must not enter HMV or Boots and must report to Colchester Police Station every Monday and Friday between noon and 2pm.

The theft trial will be held at Colchester Magistrates' Court on July 15.