A YOUNG Prestonpans housebreaker who stole a TV from a pensioner’s home during a drunken late-night break-in has been fined.

Liam Edmond broke into the 73-year-old’s property in Preston Road, Prestonpans, and made off with a TV, laptop and stereo following a confrontation with a relative of the woman. The 20-year-old thief was disturbed by the OAP’s niece who had been staying at the home with her elderly aunt but he still managed to leave with the electrical haul.

Edmond, of the town’s Schaw Road, admitted the offence at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month and returned to court for sentencing.

Sheriff Nigel Ross told the first offender to pay a £400 fine.

Previously, the court was told that Edmond had been drinking alcohol and taking cocaine during a night out in March this year when he met “with someone he owed money to”.

He then decided to carry out the bungled theft on his way home by breaking a window at the back of the property to gain entry.

The value of the stolen appliances came to £950.

Edmond admitted to breaking into the home on Preston Road and stealing a television, a stereo, a laptop and jewellery on March 31 this year.