THE man accused of trying to sell a war memorial plaque to a scrap-metal dealer shortly after it was stolen has appeared in court.

Michael Alan Coyle, 40, of Mellock Lane, Little Neston, is charged with handling the First World War memorial plaque on July 30.

Overnight between Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30, thieves took a metal plaque listing the names of fallen war heroes from Christ Church, Neston Road, Willaston.

Prosecutor Sue Gibson said: “The plaque he tried to sell at a scrapyard is the same one that was stolen from Willaston.”

Coyle has been bailed to return to Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston Magistrates Court on October 28 on the condition that he does not enter a scrap-metal dealer’s yard or premises in England or Wales for any reason.