A MAN has been charged with stealing hundreds of pounds worth of items from two Co-op stores.

Jordan Chapman (26), of Westgate Road, Newcastle, denied a string of charges when he appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court on Monday.

It is alleged he stole cigarettes, alcohol and coffee to the value of £194 on January 23 and £71 worth of scratchcards and washing up items on January 21 from Wylam Co-op.

He also denied stealing £355 worth of alcohol from the Darras Hall Co-op on January 17, and stealing an unknown amount of alcohol from the same store on January 22.

A day later, it is alleged that he stole food items of an unknown amount from Heron Foods, in Prudhoe.

Chapman also pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman in the Co-op on January 18.

He did, however, plead guilty to stealing £60 worth of alcohol, chocolate and washing up products from Wylam Co-op on January 23.

Chapman was remanded on bail until June 11 for a trial at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.