A MAN is due to appear in court tomorrow (Saturday) after allegedly stealing two women’s handbags and robbing a home on the same day.

Ian Strong, from Durham, is alleged to have carried out three robberies on Thursday.

The 44-year-old has been charged with three counts of robbery and one of possession of a bladed article.

He was arrested in the Sherburn Road area of Gilesgate on Thursday.

He is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today.

Two of the robberies are alleged to have taken place within minutes of each other.

Both happened in the Gilesgate area of the city.

Police were called at 2.55pm after receiving reports that a woman had been threatened with a knife before having her handbag stolen.

A second incident took place in the car park of Dragonville Retail Park.

It was reported at 3.09pm when another woman’s handbag was allegedly stolen by a man who approached her on a bicycle.

The third charge relates to a domestic robbery, which is also alleged to have taken place on Thursday.