Five men accused of attempting to burgle a house in Beggarwood earlier this month will appear at Winchester Crown Court in the New Year.

The men, none of whom are from Basingstoke, are charged with attempted burglary with intent to steal.

They are accused of entering a property on Blue Hut Way as a trespasser with the intent to steal, after an incident on Thursday, December 16.

Residents of Beggarwood told The Gazette that they saw a police pursuit on the A30 towards the M3 at around 5pm that evening.

Michael McDonagh, 33, of no fixed abode, has been charged with attempted burglary, driving a motor vehicle dangerously on Saunders Way, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence, failing to stop for a constable and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance.

In a hearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court on December 18, he was remanded in custody pending a hearing at Winchester Crown Court on January 19.

The other four men, charged with attempted burglary, are:

  • Simon Doherty, 19, of New Barns Avenue, Ely, Cambridgeshire. He has been released on conditional bail, and has been banned from entering Hampshire, except to attend court or pre-arranged appointments with his solicitor.
  • Edward McDonagh, 24, of no fixed abode. He has been remanded into custody.
  • Cornelius McDonagh, 22, of Ellands Road, Bury St Edmunds. He has been released on conditional bail, and has been banned from entering Hampshire, except to attend court or pre-arranged appointments with his solicitor.
  • A 17-year-old boy from Bury St Edmunds who cannot be named for legal reasons. He has been released on conditional bail, and has been banned from entering Hampshire, except to attend court or pre-arranged appointments with his solicitor.

Residents of Beggarwood also reported seeing a large police presence in Beggarwood the next day, with officers patrolling the area and sat outside a house on Blue Hut Way.