Exeter man pleads not guilty to laptop theft on Tarka line

A 22-year-old has pleaded not guilty to stealing a laptop bag worth £500 from a train travelling to Barnstaple earlier this year.

Aaron Hoaken, of Ashdown Lodge, Exeter, appeared in front of North Devon magistrates today (March 11) charged with theft on the Exeter to Barnstaple line on February 6.

On February 14 the Journal reported the theft having spoken to victim Naomi Williams, 18, who the laptop bag belonged to.

Naomi, from Barnstaple, had been on the train when she got up to get some tissue and returned to find her laptop bag missing.

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It contained her laptop, school books, a hard drive and wallet.

Hoaken appeared in court charged with theft, to which he pleaded not guilty, and failing to answer bail for a hearing on March 1, which he pleaded guilty to.

For the offence of failing to answer bail Hoaken was charged £50 which was considered served as he had spent more than 24 hours in custody.

Hoaken elected to have his trial heard at Crown Court for the offence of theft.

A committal hearing will be held at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday May 3 at 12pm.