Man went on a burglary spree in the town

Edward Cash broke into three homes and tried to raid a fourth hours after the theft from a Tesco store in the town, prosecutors claimed.

Money, jewellery, cameras and keys were taken from the houses, with one victim targeted as he slept.

Cash, 26, originally from Dublin but now living at Stratheden Street, Belfast, is charged with three counts of burglary, one attempted burglary and theft. He was granted bail but banned from entering Lurgan.

It was claimed that he and a co-accused went into Tesco on October 17, asked staff where screwdrivers were located and then left with one without paying.

According to the prosecution the two men then headed into the town centre in an Opel Astra car to begin their spree of break-ins.

Money was stolen from the first property on Rectory Park after a back door was prized open with a screwdriver, the court heard.

Two homes on Tarry Lane were then burgled within an hour. Cameras, two gold rings, 260 euros and £140 were seized from the first house.

Burglars then broke into a property on the same street and took a bottle containing around £100 in coins as the householder slept.

In a further incident at Rosemount two men disturbed as they tried to get inside escaped in an Opel car.

Mr Justice Deeny was told Cash and his co-accused were stopped and arrested as they left the M1 near Belfast. Both appeared to be under the influence of drink or drugs, according to the prosecution.

A screwdriver and property stolen from two of the homes was found in the car.

Defence counsel Kelly Doherty accepted a prima facie case has been established against her client.

Mr Justice Deenyimposed a curfew, electronic monitoring and ordered Cash to report to police daily. He also directed: “He is not to enter the town of Lurgan.”