A KILWINNING man is one of two alleged crooks accused of a month-long spree of break-ins and thefts from businesses across Ayrshire.

Gareth English is charged with several alleged offences alongside John Stewart, with both men set to go on trial next month after pleading not guilty to the charges.

Mr English, 28, and Mr Stewart, 38, are said to have broken into a tanning salon in Kilmarnock on November 13, 2020, allegedly stealing a quantity of money, a shop till and a safe.

The pair are then accused of breaking into the Kilmarnock branch of Meat in the Middle on November 23 that year and stolen money from the fast food restaurant. The same day, they allegedly targeted Pepe’s Peri Peri next door in Kilmarnock and stole money.

On December 4, 2020, they allegedly broke into Paddy Power in Irvine’s High Street with intent to steal from the bookmakers, while the following day, at Tesco in Kilmarnock, they are said to have forced open a lockfast ATM with intent to steal.

On December 8, they are accused of breaking into the former Keystore in Kilwinning’s Gagarin Terrace and stealing two cash trays along with a quantity of cigarettes, and the next day, they allegedly broke into a Day-Today store in Troon and stole cash.

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Later that day, Mr English, of Muirside Court, is said to have illegally reset a barrow stolen from Waste Management Centre in Kilmarnock earlier that month.

He also faces charges of breaching a bail order which required him to remain within his home address and regularly sign in at Kilmarnock police office.

Mr Stewart, of Leasowe, in the Wirral, is accused of stealing the front and rear registration plates from a vehicle in a Kilmarnock car park days before Christmas in 2020, before allegedly targeting a garage in Stewarton by disabling an alarm system and CCTV, forcing open a shutter and attempting to break in with intent to steal.

On Christmas Day that year, he is also said to have broken into a Usave store in Brucehill Road, Dumbarton and stolen cigarettes and cash whilst acting with another, unnamed person.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial date was set for September 26.

The pair were bailed until their next court appearance.