THE son of Birmingham City legend Trevor Francis has been charged with burglary at a £1.7 million property owned by former Aston Villa star Lee Hendrie.

James Francis, 24, will appear in court next month, accused of a break-in at a cottage in the grounds of a luxury Midland mansion belonging to the Holte End favourite.

Mr Francis is the son of soccer legend Trevor, who became Britain’s first £1 million footballer when he was transferred from the Blues to Nottingham Forest in 1979.

But in an extraordinary case, his youngest son James is to face court accused of committing a break-in at a sprawling Warwickshire country house owned by Hendrie, who now plays for Kidderminster Harriers.

Mr Francis Jnr, from Solihull, was arrested by West Midlands Police.

He has since been charged with one count of burglary (other than from a dwelling) contrary to the Theft Act 1968, and first appeared at Leamington Magistrates Court on November 16.

He will next appear at the same court on January 11 for a committal hearing.

It is understood the charge centres around an allegation that Mr Francis committed burglary at a cottage in the grounds of a six-bedroom mansion – called Finwood Lawn – in the leafy village of Rowington, between July 8 and the end of July.

It is alleged that the 24-year-old, who himself has played for a variety of Midland clubs including Kidderminster Harriers, broke into a cottage – one of two on the site – which was apparently being used as a storeroom at the time.

Hendrie was not believed to have been living at Finwood Lawn at the time of the alleged burglary in July. His main home is in Solihull.

The Holte End hero paid £1.6 million in 2006 for the elegant country property which is understood to have been up for sale for several months.