TWO men have denied taking part in a three-week spate of burglaries at workshops and businesses across East and Mid Devon.

David Simkiss and Jordan Jones are alleged to have carried out 17 different raids between October 23, 2020 and November 13 that year in Sidmouth, Exmouth and Crediton.

Jones denied all the offences while Simkiss pleaded not guilty to being jointly involved in 11 of them.

They both deny going equipped for theft on November 13, 2020 and the theft of a Boxer van during one raid and a Jaguar car in another.

They are accused of stealing cash, tools, batteries, cars and other valuable gear during the raids.

Simkiss, aged 38, of Lee Close, Honiton, and Jones, aged 24, of North Devon, were both released on bail by Judge Anna Richardson at Exeter Crown Court pending a jury trial on August 7 next year.

Jones is charged with burglaries at Ford and Sons; a Unit at Alexandria industrial estate; A J Carpenters; Devon Shutters; Safeguard Security and Fire, all in Sidmouth; the Tic-Tok nursery in Exeter and Axminster Projects.

They are jointly accused of burglaries at a betting shop in Crediton, the Devon Bed Centre in Exeter; Jewell’s Garage; The Ark (Lapford); Ben Kingsland Carpets: Page Concrete; Refrigeration Spares; and MCA Windows - all in Crediton.

Court Reporter