A TEENAGER accused of breaking into homes and stealing cars in Tamworth has been warned to take the charges against him seriously while on bail.
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Blake Stanton appeared in person at Tamworth Local Court when his case was called on Wednesday.
The court heard evidence against the 18-year-old man was still being compiled and finalised by police.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Baillie said he understood DPP lawyers had not yet received a compliant brief.
"Ultimately I apologise and ask for four more weeks," Sergeant Baillie told the court.
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Stanton had been refused bail in the days after his arrest in March, but the court heard he had been granted strict bail in the Supreme Court.
"He's taking it seriously," magistrate Julie Soars said.
Stanton sat in court behind his solicitor, and was excused from appearing in person on the next occasion.
"Sir, it does not mean you don't need to take all of this seriously," Ms Soars said.
Stanton is accused of breaking into two homes in Tamworth and stealing two cars in separate incidents last year.
He was the second person to be charged after a four-month investigation by Tamworth's dedicated break-in blitz, Operation Southbreak.
The teenager is accused of a break-in at an East Tamworth home in December as well as a break-in at a Hillvue home in September, and police believe there were other people with him.
Police claim Stanton stole a white Jaguar and also stole a white Ford Mondero, which was allegedly taken during the Hillvue break-in.
The Mondeo was later found abandoned and burnt out, according to police.
Stanton is accused of two counts each of of aggravated break-and-enter in company; take and drive conveyance without consent; and driving in a speed or manner dangerous.
He has not been required to enter pleas to the charges.
Ms Soars ordered the brief of evidence to be served on lawyers a week before Stanton's case goes back to court on June 16.
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