A HOMELESS man appeared at Harrogate Magistrates' Court yesterday to face a series of charges including robbery at a town centre shop.

Stuart David Pearson, 26, formerly of Bower Street, Harrogate, but now of no fixed address, is accused of stealing women's clothes, a cash till tray and £150 during a raid on the Jaeger shop in Harrogate, on November 21.

Mr Pearson was remanded in custody to appear at York Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Pearson, who did not plead to the charges, also declined to enter pleas to three other charges, which followed an incident in Harrogate's Marks and Spencer on December 14, in which security officer Richard Benson was hurt.

Mr Pearson is accused of stealing two rings worth £22, assault causing actual bodily harm and using threatening behaviour provoking fear of violence after a chase involving Mr Benson and his colleague Paul Bartley.

The charges were adjourned and Pearson will reappear at Harrogate magisrates next Tuesday via a video link with Hull Prison.

When Mr Pearson pleaded guilty to failing to answer bail nine days after the Marks and Spencer incident, Mr Rogers said he was the victim of a dates mix-up. He was jailed for five days.