A man accused of burgling a house after threatening a teenager with a meat cleaver over a £20 debt will face a crown court judge next month.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard Jason Scarff was alleged to have gone to the 17-year-old’s home in Kilmington, near Warminster, on August 19, and pulled out a meat cleaver.

While the boy fled to a neighbour’s house, 30-year-old Scarff is said to have gone into the youngster’s home and taken a TV set and a watch.

It is also claimed he stole £1,700 of tools from a home under renovation in Calne last July.

Appearing before the court via video link from Melksham police station, Scarff, of Berryfields Park, Melksham, entered no pleas to possession of a blade and two counts of burglary.

He was remanded in custody by District Judge Joanna Dickens to appear before Swindon Crown Court on October 23 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Scarff was represented in the hearing by solicitor Liz Highams.