A MAN has denied stealing cash from Hexham Abbey earlier this month.

James Isaac Dodd (35), of Woodlea Crescent, Hexham, denied two charges of stealing cash from the Abbey on February 9 when he appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on Friday. He will stand trial at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on June 4.

Dodd reappeared before South East Northumberland magistrates on Monday where he denied two charges of stealing items from vehicles in Hexham on February 6. He admitted a charge of committing fraud by using a stolen debit card to buy food on the same day.

He will stand trial at Newcastle on May 22.