A man who is alleged to have received dozens of stolen birds worth thousands of pounds has appeared in court.

Leonard Devall denied four charges of handling stolen goods between January 3 and March 21 involving birds belonging to four victims.

He was charged after 113 birds worth about £9,300 were stolen in Aylesford, Chatham, Deal and Pembury.

Exhibition birds were stolen from a widow's home in Aylesford just days after her husband died.

The crossbills, chaffinches, mealy redpolls, goldfinches and mosaic canaries were stolen from the birdroom and aviary on March 15.

Devall, 35, of Kent Road, Snodland, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

He will stand trial in a two-week period beginning March 18 next year.

Unconditional bail was continued.