A HAMPSHIRE man accused of stealing £55,000 worth of jewellery has appeared in court.

Ben Antonio Rizzo, of Oakgrove Road, Bishopstoke, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court charged with seven offences including burglary, theft and possession of class A drugs.

Rizzo, 26, is charged with allegedly burgling a property in Chilbolton, near Stockbridge, in June last year and stealing two diamond rings worth £39,500.

He also allegedly stole jewellery worth £5,000 from a victim in Andover, jewellery valued at £10,000 from another victim in Winchester and more jewellery with an unknown value from a victim in Alton.

Rizzo is also charged with allegedly stealing cameras and equipment worth £1,828.95 from Sutton Scotney and possession of nine grams of cocaine in Basingstoke.

He will appear in Winchester Crown Court in May.