A MAN has been charged with burglary after a stolen laptop and handbag were found in his home.

Gregory Francis Charles, unemployed, was charged with one count of burglary and three counts of fraud at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 25.

The 53-year-old is accused of breaking into the home in Baldslow Road, Hastings, before stealing a handbag, rucksack and attempting to make transactions on a credit card.

The woman in the house went to bed around 10pm on Friday, April 22 and was woken by what she thought was her daughter returning home.

Having gone back to sleep, she only realised on the Saturday that her handbag and rucksack containing a laptop were missing.

She then found three attempted transactions had been made on her credit card that morning, and reported it to Sussex Police.

Officers and PCSOs from Hastings Neighbourhood Policing Team arrested Charles at his house in Devonshire Road in Hastings. A search of his house led to the stolen items being recovered.

He will appear before the court on May 24.