A man admitted helping to load a "dodgy" television into a house, but claimed he played no part in a series of burglaries involving goods worth £75,000.

Marius Baama, aged 28, said he was at home in Embla Walk, Burnden, looking after his three children when thieves struck in Kendal Road West, Holcombe Brook, Bury, and Princess Road, Lostock, on April 22 last year.

An Audi A4 convertible was taken from the address in Bury, and an Alfa Romeo 156 was stolen at Lostock, along with jewellery and electrical goods.

Baama has pleaded not guilty to the burglaries, along with a third at Crompton's Farm, off Slack Lane, Bradshaw, on June 19 last year, when jewellery, a computer and £20,000 in cash was taken.

He also denies intimidating witness Zoe Greamer.

Yesterday, he told Bolton Crown Court he had not been near either street in which the burglaries took place on April 22. He said he left his home between 9.45pm and 10.45pm to cycle to his friend John Lee's house in nearby Fortune Street.

After playing computer games and drinking in the house, the pair went outside for a smoke when they saw a Volkswagen Golf drive quickly up the street and stop across the road.

Baama said he saw Ashley Derbyshire, a friend of his step-daughter, get out of the car.

"He called me over and asked me if I wanted to buy any TVs. I said no'," Baama said.

Derbyshire then knocked on Miss Greamer's house opposite, before again speaking to Baama.

Baama said: "He asked me to give him a hand taking a TV into the house. I think he took it out of the boot of the VW. We put the TV on the floor in the living room.

"I was wrong to do so. With it being so late, there must have been something dodgy about it."

Baama said he had not been with Derbyshire or Lewis Chorlton on the night in question.

Chorlton, aged 21, of Roxalina Street, Deane, has pleaded guilty to all three burglaries. Derbyshire, aged 19, of Tildsley Street, Deane, has admitted the burglaries at Slack Lane and Princess Road.

The case continues.