A GALASHIELS man kept a watch worth almost £3,000 after a postal worker mistakenly delivered it to his home.

The timepiece was meant for a neighbour living in the same block of flats in Roxburgh Street, Galashiels, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

The watch owner was tracking the delivery of the watch on the Internet when he noticed it had been signed for by a James Muir.

An investigation was launched and the police alerted.

49-year-old Muir - who collects watches -  pleaded guilty to stealing a watch at his home on November 21.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser explained:"One of his neighbours was waiting for a watch to be delivered which cost £2,770.

"But it was delivered in error to the accused's address.

"By chance he is a collector of watches.  The real owner had been keeping a watch on-line for the parcel to be delivered and knew it had been signed for.

"The accused knew it was not his to keep.  He made a full confession to police."

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said:"The reason he signed for it was that he thought it was a package for him.  He did not appreciate the value of the item when he first opened it.  He did not sell it or try to dispose of it but he did hold onto it."

The delivery was on November 21 last year and Muir wasn't traced until two months later.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond accepted there had been a fully recovery and Muir had co-operated with police when challenged about the theft.

A fine of £300 was imposed.