Wigan man charged with RSPCA break-ins

Darren James Turner, 27, of Poplar Avenue, Worsley Hall, has been charged with three counts of attemtped burglary at the charity’s York Street clinic on September 9, 22 and 26.

He faces further charges of burgling nearby FT Fitness on nearby Leeds Street on September 22 and also raiding Restore Cleaning on Fleet Street, Pemberton, on September 18 during which cash, tools and jewellery was stolen.

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Turner was not obliged to attend the hearing at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court at which his case was discovered and the hearing was adjourned until June 17.

In October last year the RSPCA said it feared it would have to close its premises if attempted break-ins - which were costing thousands of pounds continued.

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:

You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.