Market Drayton man cleared of breaking into girlfriend's flat
A man has been cleared of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house and stealing a DVD player, packets of crisps and a tube of Bonjela mouth ulcer relief gel.
A jury found 23-year-old Jake Birch not guilty of breaking into Lisa Marie Cowan's flat in Frogmore Road, Market Drayton, on July 21 last year.
Mr Birch, of Redbank Road, Market Drayton, had been accused of climbing into the flat while Miss Cowan was out and stealing the items.
Ms Cowan previously told the court he could have climbed in through a bathroom window.
Mr Birch told the court he had no reason to steal the items. He said that he had no financial problems having received £2,400 in compensation for an incident in which he suffered broken fingers.
He also told the jury that he had recently bought a new television and DVD player from Argos and therefore would have no need for another one.
Bank statements and receipts were also presented to the court to support his claims.
Following a two-day trial Mr Birch was acquitted of the charge.
