A 26-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged in connection with a series of housebreakings and vehicle thefts across the Lothians and Borders.

Nathan Elliot is accused of 13 housebreakings and seven vehicle thefts during the course of a month.

They are alleged to have occurred in Tranent, Prestonpans, Galashiels, Selkirk, Livingston, Gorebridge and Stow, between Friday, September 6 and Thursday, October 10.

He made no plea during a private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday when he faced a total of 27 charges and the case was continued for further examination and he was remanded in custody.

Elliot will appear in court again next week.

The exact charges Elliot is facing are seven thefts by housebreakings, five housebreakings with intent to steal, housebreaking with intent to steal, theft, being found in circumstances which inferred he intended to commit theft, seven vehicle thefts, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance, failing to stop when requested to do so by a police officer in uniform and fraudulent use of a car registration plate.

Elliot has been in custody since being arrested at a house in Charles Street, Hawick, on Thursday, October 10, for an alleged breach of his bail conditions.