A MAN has appeared in court accused of threatening an elderly couple at knifepoint in their home in Great Sankey during a robbery.

Grant Pridham, of Cotterdale Close, Great Sankey, was arrested on the morning of February 16 following a break-in at a house on Mapplewell Crescent.

The 25-year-old was taken into custody to be questioned after being detained.

He has since been charged with robbery, drink driving, no insurance, driving while disqualified, possession of knife and cannabis.

He appeared at Warrington Magistrates' Court this afternoon but, due to the severity of the charges, he was remanded in custody to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on March 17.

Police were deployed shortly after 12am on Thursday, February 16, to reports of a break-in at a house in Great Sankey.

Detectives say a man entered the property through the front door while an elderly couple in their 70s were still awake.

He threatened the couple with a knife before stealing the keys to a black Ford Focus Estate and then fled in the car.

The suspect was later detained following a search of the area by officers and one of the force's police dogs.

The car has since been returned to the owners.

A police spokesman said the couple were left 'shaken and upset' by what unfolded on the morning of February 16.