A MAN has appeared in court charged with illegally abstracting electricity.

Paul Shepherd denies dishonestly using £786 worth of electricity supplied by the company Npower.

The alleged theft occurred between June 28, 2012, and February 22 last year while Mr Shepherd was resident at West Musgrave Farm, in St Helen Auckland, County Durham.

The 57-year-old, who now lives on the Hackworth Industrial Estate, in Shildon, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates Court.

It was listed as a half-day trial, but was adjourned by magistrates.