A MAN appeared in court, charged with breaking into several homes and assaulting a police officer.

Steven Watts, of Lakeside Path on Canvey, will appear at Basildon Crown Court on August 15, charged with a total of 11 offences.

He is accused of driving a Volvo S4 dangerously on the A13 at Grays on May 10, failing to provide a specimen of breath, driving without insurance and without a licence.

He is also charged with possessing cannabis and, together with a Samantha Taylor, growing 37 cannabis plants.

Watts, 26, will also answer charges of burgling a house in Caterwood, Billericay, and stealing an ATM safe and paperwork worth £1,001 He is charged with burgling another house in Middlemead, Chelmsford, between April 16 and April 20, stealing jewellery and glasses worth £325, as well as taking jewellery and paperwork worth £683 from a house in Albert Close, Rochford.

Watts is also charged with burgling a house in Bicknacre between April 18 and 22 and stealing £7,085 of jewellery. He is further accused of assaulting a police officer.

Watts did not enter a plea at Basildon Magistrates’ Court and was denied bail.

He will next appear at Basildon Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing.