A MAN appeared in court on Monday (February 8) on charges of causing more than £45,000 of damage to parked cars.

Mohammed Qureshi, 62, faced nine counts of criminal damage, possession of a bladed article and driving with no insurance at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

Mr Qureshi, of from Grange Road, Thornaby, Stockton, was alleged to have been in the centre of Middlesbrough with a Stanley knife and scratched a number of cars overnight between October 19 and 20.

No pleas were entered at the brief hearing and the case was transferred to Teesside Crown Court to be heard on March 7.

Chairman of the Bench Michael Poole told the defendant: "Having regard to the nature of the offences and the amounts involved, this matter will be dealt with at Teesside Crown Court."

Mr Qureshi was granted unconditional bail until his next appearance.