A MAN has appeared at court accused of attempting to rob a woman of her handbag and its contents.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court by video link from the city’s nearby prison, where he is on remand, Alfie Mavin denied a charge of attempted robbery of the woman.

The alleged offence is said to have happened in Durham, on Sunday January 30 this year.

But the 21-year-old defendant, of Heaviside Place, Gilesgate, Durham, did plead guilty to two offences of breaching a restraining order by attending at an address in the Sherburn Road area of the city, on January 27 and January 30 this year.

The restraining order was put in place by County Durham and Darlington magistrates on July 19, last year.

Read more: Elderly woman suffered fractured hip in Consett bag snatch

Tony Davis, representing the defendant, told the court that Mavin accepts being present at the address, but denies trying to take the handbag.

Ian West, prosecuting, said the Crown would seek to use evidence from the 999 call made to police reporting the alleged crime, as well as police body-worn camera footage,  from the scene, when the case comes to trial.

The case was adjourned for a trial, to start at the court, on Wednesday May 18.

Adjourning for a pre-trial hearing the previous week, Judge Ray Singh remanded the defendant to remain in custody but told him: “You have obviously denied attempted robbery, which will go to trial on May 18, but there will be a hearing prior to that, on May 12.”

He added that Mavin must assist his lawyers in the preparation of a statement setting out his defence to the charge, to be submitted by April 18.

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