THE trial of a post-graduate accused of breaking into college property and other students’ rooms over Christmas has been put back.

Juan Carlos Miramontes Martinez faces three counts of burglary, one an alleged aggravated break-in, plus going equipped for burglary.

He was arrested in a female toilet block at Grey College of Durham University, in the early hours of January 5.

At the time he was in possession of a bag of tools, including hammers and screw drivers, plus property stolen from a female student’s room.

The Mexican Masters’ degree student is alleged to have taken jewellery, personal letters and other property from student accommodation, plus 46 personal letters taken from the South Road college’s post room.

A trial was previously listed for this week, at Durham Crown Court.

But, amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the court remains suspended and is temporarily sitting at Newcastle Crown Court, with trials not being heard at the moment.

During a short hearing at Newcastle, with the defendant appearing over video link from Durham Prison, where he is on remand, the trial was put back until July 13, by which time sittings should have resumed at Durham.

Chris Morrison, for the 29-year-old defendant, of Cooper Square, Gilesgate, said he would be making an application for bail on his client’s behalf in due course.