A MAN who is accused of stealing nearly £800 worth of Barbour jackets from a shop in Devizes has been remanded in custody

Ashley Hills is said to have taken the four coats from Scats Countrystores on Wednesday, January 23.

Hills, 43, is also accused of a series of charges of thefts and making off without payment spanning more than a year.

It is alleged that stole number plates from cars on seven occasions across the south of England from South Cerney to Somerset and Surrey.

He is also accused of repeatedly filling up with petrol and leaving without paying at garages in Devizes, Chippenham, Salisbury, Warminster and Yeovil.

It is also alleged that he was driving a W-reg Vauxhall Zafira people carrier in High Street, Malmesbury, without a proper licence on Thursday, January 24.

No charges were formally put to Hills, of no fixed abode, when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court and he did not enter any pleas.

He is accused of eight thefts, ten of making off without payment and one driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case to Friday, July 12, and remanded Hills in custody until then.