A MAN admitted lying to police when he was questioned about thousands of pounds worth of property taken during a burglary from his house.

John Thorne, who is on trial with his wife Sharon, over an alleged fraudulent insurance claim, claimed he had retrieved some of the stolen goods through contacts with criminals he knew.

Thorne said he would not have told the police about getting his property back but said his wife was going to inform the insurance company.

But under cross-examination he admitted the insurance company was only told after police had raided his house and found property identical to that he claimed had been stolen.

Sharon Thorne, aged 34, and John Thorne, aged 39, of Rutland Street in Leigh, appeared at Bolton Crown Court on the second day of their trial.

The couple denied attempting to obtain money by deception and Mrs Thorne also denied false accounting in respect of an Income Support application.

Proceeding