A MAN who denies stealing a £6.99 ornament from The Range has elected to have his trial heard by a jury at the crown court.

Albert James William France, of Egerton Court, pleaded not guilty to theft when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The 45-year-old is accused of a stealing a mirrored pot from the Barrow store off Abbey Road on October 31 of last year.

France, who was represented in court by Trystan Roberts, entered a not guilty plea.

Both the prosecutor and magistrates accepted jurisdiction but the defendant elected to have the trial heard in the crown court.

Theft is an either way offence which means it can be heard in the magistrates or crown court.

Magistrates have the power to send such offences to the crown court but, even if they elect to try the case themselves, the accused retains the right to elect for a crown court trial with a jury.

A plea and trial preparation hearing will take place at Preston Crown Court on February 12.