A MAN who is accused of stealing a purse in a house burglary and possession of a knife in public will face a jury trial.

Dean Patrick Hitchen, of Milton Close, Atherton, appeared at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court.

Hitchen, 40, pleaded not guilty to a charge of burglary and a charge of possession of a knife.

The 40-year-old is accused of entering a property on Coronation Avenue, Atherton on or around August 17 and stealing a purse and its contents to the value of £150.

Hitchen is also accused of having a knife in his possession in a public place on Milton Close, Atherton on August 17.

The case was sent to Bolton Crown Court where Hitchen will next appear.

Hitchen was remanded into custody until his next scheduled appearance on Monday, October 5.