AN ALVA man accused of carrying out a catalogue of break-ins and thefts in and around his own village has appeared in Alloa Sheriff Court this week.

The 20-year-old is charged with committing 13 separate offences in just over three months.

It is alleged that he targeted the various addresses – all within a mile of his own home – between 29 January and 1 April this year.

He is accused of attempting to break into one property on Greenhead on 29 January, while breaking in and stealing a mini motorbike from a shed in a neighbouring garden the same day.

Then between 27 January and 2 February he is alleged to have broken into a shed on East Stirling Street before stealing a bicycle, cycling equipment and garden gloves.

On 5 February it is alleged he attempted to break into a garden shed on Cochrane Crescent and faces a further charge of trespassing with intent to steal on a property on nearby Back Road on the same evening.

Then between 8-9 February, he is accused of breaking into an unlocked garden shed in James Street with intent to steal, while between 9-10 February he is alleged to have broken into a garage on East Stirling Street before stealing a quantity of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Also between 9-10 February, he is accused of breaking into a garden shed on Brookfield Place and stealing a quantity of golfing equipment.

He faces further charges of breaking into a garden shed on Dalmore Drive and stealing a bicycle, between 25-26 March, and of breaking into another shed on Erskine Street, between 21-28 March, and of stealing a quantity of golfing and fishing equipment.

The accused also stands charged of breaking into a shed on Beauclerc Street and stealing a bike on 29 March.

He faces further allegations of stealing a TV and accessories from a house in Grodwell Drive, between 27 March and 1 April, and of stealing golfing equipment from a house on Beauclerc Street between 18 February and 1 April.

He appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday (13 July) when he denied all 13 charges.

A trial date has been set down for 28 July 2015.