A FORMER soldier is facing trial accused of breaking into his mum’s home a few days before Christmas to try to rob her.

Darren Jones is said to have targeted his mother’s property in Dalmeny Drive, Barrhead, on Saturday, December 22.

The 32-year-old is accused of smashing her bathroom window and trying to climb inside in an effort to steal from the property.

Jones was in the Army for seven years – for a year at the age of 16 and then for six years from the age of 21 to 27.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard he has been left suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving his country in Afghanistan and Kenya.

The details emerged on Christmas Eve when Jones appeared in the dock to face two charges after being detained in connection with the alleged housebreaking.

He denies trying to break into his mum’s home, with intent to steal, and a charge that he behaved in a threatening or abusive way at her home on the same occasion by shouting, swearing, repeatedly banging doors and windows, demanding money, making threats, refusing to leave when asked to do so and acting aggressively.

Jones, of Irvine, Ayrshire, was represented by defence solicitor Kirsty McGeehan, a partner in law firm McGeehan and Company, during the hearing.

Ms McGeehan told the court: “His position is his brother is making a spurious allegation about what happened on December 22.

“The alleged offences are at his mum’s house. His position is he was there but he did not behave in the manner alleged by the Crown.”

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew adjourned the case until later this month for a trial and pre-trial hearings to take place and remanded Jones in custody.