A HARLOW man has appeared in court charged with burning down a cafe in Flex Meadow costing tens of thousands.

John Cleary, aged 57, of Flex Meadow, Harlow faced the following charges at Chelmsford magistrates court.

1. Between 21/03/2016 and 25/03/2016 at Harlow having entered as a trespasser a building, namely Ellies Snack Bar, stole therein 13 tins of Heinz soup and Cash of a value unknown.

2. On 27/03/2016 at Harlow, having entered as a trespasser a building, namely Canteen Cafe, stole therein Food, Electrical and Cash items of a value unknown.

3. On 27/03/2016 at Harlow committed arson in that without lawful excuse you destroyed by fire Canteen Cafe to the value of £35000.00 intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

4. On 27/03/2016 at Harlow without lawful excuse, damaged CCTV camera to the value of £150 intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

5. Between 22/03/2016 and 23/03/2016 at Harlow having entered as a trespasser a building, namely Camrider, stole therein Russell Hobbs Kettle, Metal safe and various Moped Keys of a value unknown.

6. On 27/03/2016 at Harlow in the county of Essex committed arson in that without lawful excuse you destroyed by fire Ellies Snack Bar to the value of £15000.00 intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

7. Between 04/04/2016 and 07/04/2016 at Harlow in the county of Essex having entered as a trespasser a building, namely Wych Elm Car Wash, stole therein Cash and a Bicycle to the value of 200.00.

Cleary was remanded in custody, to re-appear on May 9th, 2016.