A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a Christmas Day thief who failed to show up at court for sentencing.

Nicholas Cochrane admitted breaking into a home in Prestonpans and stealing a quantity of money and a laptop on December 25, 2019.

Cochrane, of Drummore Drive, also made off with a camera and a quantity of alcohol during the raid on the property at Preston Road.

The 33-year-old had previously admitted the offence at an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March and sentence had been deferred for him to be of good behaviour.

But when the case called for sentencing in front of Sheriff Alistair Noble last Thursday, the court was told that the accused man was not in attendance.

Sheriff Noble issued a non-appearance warrant for his immediate apprehension.