A YOUNG housebreaker was caught holding a stolen TV in his arms when he disturbed a woman sleeping in the home.

Liam Edmond broke into a 73-year-old woman’s property on Preston Road, Prestonpans, and tried to make off with a TV and laptop.

But as he was collecting the items during the theft, the homeowner’s niece, who had been staying with her for a few days, woke up due to the disturbance downstairs.

She found 20-year-old Edmond, who was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time, standing in the hallway holding the television set in his arms.

The terrified woman then ran back upstairs to wake her aunt and the brave pair decided to go back down to again confront the brazen thief.

Edmond, of the town’s Schaw Road, was ordered to get out of the house by the pensioner and he ran from the property carrying the haul of electrical goods.

Police were then called and when officers arrived shortly after they spotted Edmond walking along the street carrying the goods.

All items were recovered and returned to their rightful owner and Edmond was arrested and charged.

Edmond admitted the offence when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Thursday.

Fiscal depute Lorna Ferrier told the court Edmond shouted “I’m robbing you, get back up the stairs” when he was initially confronted by the homeowner’s visiting niece.

Ms Ferrier said: “The niece was very frightened and ran upstairs and woke her aunt. Both women then went downstairs and the accused was in the hall holding the TV.”

When told to get out, Edmond replied: “Show me the way.”

It was then found that Edmond had smashed a window at the rear porch and had left with the electrical items, valued at £950.

Defence solicitor Rebecca Weissgerber said Edmond had been out with friends at the town’s Labour Club and had met “someone he owes money to”.

On the way home, Edmond decided to break into the home in a bid to raise the cash to pay off his debt.

The lawyer added that the theft had been “opportunistic and not planned” and he had been under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time.

Sheriff Nigel Ross deferred sentence on Edmond to September 20 for the preparation of reports.

Edmond admitted to breaking into the home and stealing a television, a laptop and jewellery on March 31.