man denieS arena theftS:
NOT GUILTY PLEA TO TAKING BANK CARD AND MOBILE PHONE FROM INJURED AFTER BLAST AT ARENA
A HOMELESS man has denied stealing from two injured people moments after the Manchester Arena bomb.
Chris Parker, 33, appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning.
Mr Parker stood in the dock with his hands behind his back and confirmed his name, date of birth and address.
He gave his address in case he was granted bail as Woodlands Road, Crumpsall.
Mr Parker has been charged with two counts of theft after allegedly stealing a bank card from injured woman Pauline Healey at the Arena on May 22.
Mrs Healey, whose 14-year-old granddaughter Sorrell Leczkowski was killed in the attack, was in a coma for several days but survived.
Her daughter, Samantha, was also injured.
He is also charged with stealing a mobile phone from a young girl who was also seriously injured in the attack which killed 22 adults and children.
Reporting restrictions were put in place during the brief hearing to prohibit identifying the girl.
Mr Parker, who wore a grey jumper and had a full, dark beard and long curly hair, pleaded not guilty to the two charges of theft on May 22.
District Judge John Timperley said that powers of the magistrates’ court were ‘wholly insufficient’ to deal with the matter and the case will be heart at Crown Square Crown Court next month.
Mr Parker was refused bail and remanded in custody.
He will appear at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, September 13.