A FARNWORTH man has appeared in court in connection with a string of more than 30 purported break-ins at schools across the North West.

Benjamin Grimes, aged 25, is alleged to been part of a gang who staged the break-ins at educational and related establishments across Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

He appeared at Bolton Magistrates' Court on Thursday (Nov 26) charged with conspiracy to burgle.

Grimes is specifically alleged to have "between March 1 and June 1 at England conspired together with other persons to enter as a trespasser a building, namely schools and social clubs, with intent to steal therein".

He is also charged with burgling £730 cash from The Three Pigeons pub in Wigan Road, Hunger Hill, on September 6 and with burgling various items worth a combined £2,000 from a home in Clarke Street, Halliwell, on November 3.

He did not enter pleas and all three cases were sent for trial to Bolton Crown Court where he is due back on December 11.

The 25-year-old defendant, of Pear Tree Drive, Farnworth, was denied bail and was remanded in custody.

As a result of the same investigation, Samuel Grimes, aged 24, of Georgina Court, Daubhill, has been charged with conspiracy to burgle while Yacoob Ahmed, 25, of Rishton Lane, Great Lever, faces a charge of handling stolen goods.

Samuel Grimes and Ahmed are due to appear at Bolton Magistrates' Court on January 5 next year.