A FLIMBY couple woke in the night and discovered that their home had been burgled by somebody who left muddy footprints in their hall, a jury heard.

At Carlisle Crown Court, homeless Lee Moore, 43, has gone on trial accused of burgling the couple’s property at Church Road, Flimby, on September 24 last year. He denies the charge.

Opening the case for the prosecution, barrister Andrew Evans described how Beverley and Andrew Gorley had been asleep at their home just a after midnight when they decided to open the window. As she did this, Mrs Gorley heard a noise.

“She looked out of the window and saw an unknown man on their driveway,” said Mr Evans.

“She shouted ‘Oi’ but the man continued to walk away. She then said : ‘I think someone has been in our house.’ When Mr Gorley investigated, he discovered bank cards had been stolen from a drawer in the hallway, near to the unlocked front door.

There were muddy footprints on the conservatory floor and near the front door, said Mr Evans.

Some 40 minutes later, after the couple had contacted police, officers stopped two men who were walking along the A596 towards Maryport, two miles from the Gorley’s house. On the ground next to them were three bank cards.

They were the ones stolen from the Gorley’s home, said the barrister.

Police also found two torches - one on the ground and another on the defendant, a small LED strip-light. He said he had it because he lived in a tent. Police took pictures of the footprints at the scene of the burglary.

There were links between these prints and the Nike trainers worn by the defendant’s friend, who later admitted burglary; and the Vans trainers worn by Moore, said Mr Evans. The barrister told the jury: “He denied going into the house or knowing anything about the burglary.

“That is an issue for you. Did he commit this burglary along with [the man who has admitted the offence] or not?” The trial is expected to conclude today.