A LONG Newnton woman broke her mop hitting a burglar who she caught red-handed raiding her home, a court heard today.

In the dock at Gloucester crown court was John Delaney, 36, of Cirencester Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. He pleaded not guilty to burgling the home of Diana Peters at Courtland House, Long Newnton, near Tetbury, on March 27 and stealing valuables including a clock, two silver candlesticks, a Chinese bowl, grape scissors and two gold rings.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner said Mrs Peters was at home at the time of the burglary and would be a witness in the case, as would her gardener.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC said: "She got one of the burglars with her mop."

Mr Kesner added: "And broke it."

Joe Maloney, for Mr Delaney, said his defence would be that he gave two men a lift to Long Newnton and back, but had no knowledge of the burglary, although he now accepted they were 'undoubtedly involved in it'.

Judge Tabor bailed Mr Delaney pending trial on June 4.