TWO Pendle men have gone on trial accused of raiding 13 post offices in the Highlands of Scotland.

John Hind, 54, of Birtwistle Avenue, Colne, and Matthew Kenneth Roy Peters, 40, who also used to live in the town, are alleged to have stolen £45,000 in cash and stock during the burglaries.

They are also accused of driving a car at a police officer in the Highlands, forcing him to dive out of the way to avoid being struck.

The trial of the pair, who deny the charges, is one of the biggest ever seen at Wick Sheriff Court, in the Highlands, and got underway yesterday.

More than 100 witnesses, including 75 police officers, are to give evidence in the trial, scheduled to last around four weeks.

The Crown Service said both men were charged with 11 counts of theft by housebreaking, two counts of house-breaking with intent to steal and single counts of theft, attempted house-breaking with an intent to steal, theft of a motor vehicle, and assault end-angering life.

The pair have also pleaded not guilty to stealing a car and driving it at PC Andrew Cooper, who had signalled them to stop on the Fort William to Mallaig road.

Hind also faces an additional charge relating to him allegedly driving the stolen vehicle.

Hind and Peters deny stealing £45,000 in cash and stock, and breaking into premises in Spittal, Canisbay, Talmine, Dunbeath, Lairg, Thurso and Wick, between April 27 and October 12, 2007.

(Proceeding).

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