FOUR people have appeared before a Carlisle court accused of conspiring to burgle three homes in north Cumbria.

Prosecutors say the four accused people who appeared before the city’s Rickergate court and a fifth man whose case has already been sent to the crown court were part of a conspiracy to target local business people.

One intended victim was allegedly a jeweller who was "followed" to his home, with the group accused of targeting properties in north Carlisle, Hayton, and Bothel.

Appearing before the court were:

  • Florina Manole, 35, of no fixed abode.
  • Ion Baban, 38, of Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury.
  • Antonio Baja, 33, of no fixed abode.
  • Ioam Iovi, 30, of Worchester Road, London.

​A fifth defendant, 26-year-old Miriam Avramoaie, of Clay Lane, Coventry, appeared before the same Rickergate court last week. 

District Judge John Temperley remanded all four defendants who were before the court in custody and sent their case to Carlisle Crown Court for a hearing on July 5. On that day, all five defendants are likely to enter their pleas.

The defendants, speaking through interpreters, spoke only to confirm their person details and to confirm that they would not be formally entering pleas. All four defendants in court were legally represented.