CHARGES have been dropped against a man who was accused of burglary and went missing before his trial.

Adam Barrass, who was electronically tagged ahead of the hearing at Peterlee Magistrates Court, attended the court on Monday.

Last week, police appealed for help in tracing him as he was supposed to spend each night at Simpson Street in Stanley as part of his bail conditions.

He had been charged with burglary and criminal damage following a break-in at a storage unit on West Road in Stanley overnight between October 4 and 5.

But during the hearing on Monday the case against him was dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service.

A CPS spokesperson said: “On the day of the trial, a key witness in the case of Mr Barrass failed to attend court.

“As a result, the Crown had to formally offer no further evidence in this case.”

The CPS has confirmed Mr Barrass, 28, is facing no further charges.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “Following discussions between ourselves and CPS a decision was taken to discontinue with this case and all charges against Mr Barrass have been dropped."