First look at man accused of breaking into Wayne Rooney’s £6million home while he was playing in testimonial match
Robert Leslie McNamara, 24, appears at magistrate's court charged with attempted burglary following raid on ace's Cheshire mansion
THIS is the man accused of breaking into Wayne Rooney’s £6million home while he was playing a testimonial match.
Robert Leslie McNamara, from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, appeared at South and East Cheshire Magistrates' Court today.
The 24-year-old is charged with the attempted burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal on August 3.
The case was sent to Chester Crown Court and will next be heard on September 7.
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McNamara, of Newby Farm Crescent, Scalby, Scarborough, dressed in a striped top and grey jogging bottoms, was granted conditional bail from magistrates.
Police raced to the Cheshire mansion Rooney shares with wife Coleen and their three young sons Kai, Klay and Kit after its elaborate security system was triggered at approximately 9.00pm on Wednesday August 3.
Within minutes, police had scrambled a helicopter and three patrol cars to race there as the Man Utd star played in his testimonial match at Old Trafford. The swarm of officers included dog handlers, who scoured the mansion grounds.
His neighbours described the scene as cops pounced on raiders at his home as "like something out of an action film".
One resident in the Cheshire village said: "Wayne has amazing security to make sure his wife Coleen and the kids are OK while he is away.
"It's like a fortress. It was like something out of a movie with alarms shrieking and search lights flashing on.
"The police seemed to appear from nowhere. They were swarming all over the place."
The raiders struck between 8.30pm and 8.45pm on Wednesday as Roo played against first club Everton in front of 58,000 fans at his home ground.
Coleen, 30, was in the stands to support him with their three sons Kai, six, Klay, three, and Kit, seven months.
He was told about the events at his home 18 miles away straight after the game.
Security at the address was stepped up two years ago before Wayne went to the World Cup in Brazil. It will be reviewed.
In October 2010 the property was surrounded by a mob of Man Utd fans irate at rumours he was in talks to sign with rivals Man City.
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