Builder denies Buntingford new-homes digger destruction

Five new houses belonging to McCarthy and Stone were destroyed

A builder has denied ripping apart five new-build homes with a digger causing £4m of damage.

Daniel Neagu, 30, of Athelstone Road in Harrow, north-west London pleaded not guilty at St Albans Crown Court of causing criminal damage.

He is accused of damaging homes at the McCarthy & Stone retirement home complex in Ermine Street, Buntingford in Hertfordshire on 11 August.

Mr Neagu was remanded in custody ahead of a trial next February.

The homes were part of a retirement complex

The homes were situated on Ermine Street, Buntingford