A MAN has denied taking part in an overnight raid in an apparent bid to prise a cash machine from the wall of a village post office.

It resulted in the front window and wall of the premises, in Langley Park, near Durham, being demolished by the telescopic arm of a stolen New Holland loader farm vehicle, which was left in situ when those involved in the raid fled the scene empty-handed in a Ford Fiesta car, which was also stolen earlier.

A stolen Transit-type van was also used by the raiders, in the early hours of Monday March 5, last year.

The accused, Stephen Cliff, appeared via video link from the city’s nearby jail for a plea hearing in the case at Durham Crown Court.

He denied a charge of burglary as a trespasser, with intent to steal from the Quebec Street premises.

A trial date, starting on Wednesday August 7 for a potential two-day hearing, was fixed between the various parties in the case.

Forensic evidence gathered at the scene will feature in the trial, but it is expected to be challenged by the defence.

Judge Christopher Prince remanded the 34-year-old defendant, of River Walk, West Auckland, in custody pending the start of the trial.

But, the judge also asked for any expert reports to back up or question the forensic evidence gathered in the police inquiry to be presented by Crown and defence teams by Wednesday July 25