A 26-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court after a raid on a mobile phone shop in Clitheroe on Sunday which was followed by a police chase of more than 40 miles.

Blackburn magistrates were told that there was a high-speed pursuit through Blackburn and along the M56, M61, M60, M62 and Great Ancoats Street, Manchester.

Bolt croppers, a sledge hammer and mobile phones were thrown from a Ford Mondeo at chasing police cars.

The Mondeo was eventually abandoned by its five occupants in Ancoats.

Then one man entered the home of an 88-year-old widow. He entered her attic before climbing on to the roof where he remained for two hours, keeping police at bay by throwing roof slates at them.

Andrew Patrick Redmond, of Holcomb Close, Manchester, pleaded not guilty to burglary and theft of property worth £5,000 from the Phone Works, Eshton Terrace. He also denied allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle driven dangerously, affray and criminal damage.

The magistrates directed the cases should be heard at Preston Crown Court and Redmond was remanded in custody until June 10.