A MAN has been charged with the burglary of a historic family home near Newmarket. Peter O Halloran, 34, of no fixed abode, was arrested by police yesterday (Monday) in Wandsworth, London and charged with robbing Kirtling Tower, the Grade I listed home o

A MAN has been charged with the burglary of a historic family home near Newmarket.

Peter O'Halloran, 34, of no fixed abode, was arrested by police yesterday (Monday) in Wandsworth, London and charged with robbing Kirtling Tower, the Grade I listed home of Lord and Lady Fairhaven, in Newmarket Road, in November 2006.

Several hundred thousand pounds-worth of rare antiques and horse racing memorabilia, including the Bay Malton race trophy from 1764 were taken in the burglary.

O'Halloran is due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday) - charged with four other burglaries, in Gloucestershire, Suffolk, Surrey and Oxfordshire, an attempted burglary in Surrey and a Proceeds of Crime Act Offence in Suffolk.

He was arrested by Surrey Police's Cross Border Investigation Team, following a TV appeal on Crimewatch, and a �1,000 reward offered by Gloucestershire Police.

Surrey Police Cross Border Investigation Team's Acting Detective Inspector, Dan Voller, said: "The arrest and charging of Peter O'Halloran should send a clear message to criminals that they can not evade the police by moving around the country."

O'Halloran was remanded in custody following this morning's court appearance, and will reappear in court on Friday February 13.

The third Lord and Lady Fairhaven still live at the Kirtling Towers. Lord Fairhaven's grandfather bought the Anglesey estate, home to Anglesey Abbey, and Barton Stud in the early 20th century and the family continue to take an interest in the horseracing world.