A SUSPECT has been named by the courts after being charged with burgling a village library.

The charge relates to an incident which occurred between 1pm on Saturday, June 17, and 8.46am on Monday, June 19.

During this period, an offender damaged Burtonwood Library to gain access over the weekend, between the Chapel Lane location closing and reopening.

The Post Office merged with the library after moving into the building in May 2018.

Once inside, the perpetrator searched postal bags before fleeing the scene empty handed, leaving staff to discover the break-in on the Monday morning.

Cheshire Police launched an appeal for information regarding the incident, with the courts confirming that a suspect has been charged.

David Cragg faces an allegation of burglary, the particulars of which allege that between June 16 and 19, he entered Burtonwood Library as a trespasser with intent to steal.

The 47-year-old, of Butleigh Road in Huyton, appeared before Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates’ Court last month in relation to the charge.

Here, he confirmed his personal details, with no indication of plea given.

Cragg was remanded in custody to appear before Liverpool Crown Court tomorrow, Tuesday, for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Following the break-in, a spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “At 8.46am on Monday, June 19, police were called to reports of a burglary at Burtonwood Library.

“Sometime between 1pm on Saturday, June 17, and 8.46am on Monday, June 19, an unknown person or persons removed a panel and gained entry into the premises, which also houses the post office.

“Once inside, the offenders opened a number of postal bags containing paperwork before leaving empty handed.”