A PENSIONER stole a woman's knickers after getting drunk on homemade wine, a court heard.

Terence Michael Robson, of Jackson Place, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was caught dumping a bag containing the stolen yellow knickers in a wheelie bin in July.

The 65-year-old, who has no previous convictions, admitted burglary at the town’s magistrates’ court today (Thursday, November 20).

Lorraine Cooper, prosecuting, read a statement from the victim in which the woman listed a series of alleged incidents involving Robson.

She said she had been friends with Robson and his wife but his behaviour during a Christmas Day meal alarmed her.

“During the meal he went upstairs to go to the toilet,” said Ms Cooper

“After 20 minutes, when he hadn’t returned, she went upstairs to see if he was ok. She shouted his name and he came running out of the bedroom.

“When she went into her bedroom she saw all her drawers were open and her clothes had been moved.”

Ms Cooper said the woman did not mention anything as Robson had been drinking but as time went by she became increasingly concerned by his behaviour.

She said the woman had seen Robson dumping a bag in an elderly neighbour’s wheelie bin on July 21 this year.

Sensing something was not right, she asked her lodger to retrieve the bag and found it contained women’s underwear, including a pair of her knickers.

Nick Woodhouse, mitigating, said his client disputed some of the claims but admitted taking the underwear.

"His wife often goes away to dog shows," said Mr Woodhouse.

“He often gets bored while he is on his own. He makes his own wine and on occasion he drinks more than he should and loses his inhibitions.”

Magistrates adjourned the case until Thursday, December 11, for a probation report.

Robson received unconditional bail.