A GALASHIELS man involved in two thefts from a house has been remanded in custody for the preparation of background reports.

Jonathan Barnes, who is 25, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by housebreaking at the start of December when he stole a television and remote control from a property in Langlee.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that Barnes, of Magdala Terrace, entered the house by a window at around 9pm in the evening.

The items were recovered and the householder was not in the premises at the time.

Barnes had been released on bail in connection with the matter but on December 23 he returned to the house in Langlee Road where he stole a security box which was also recovered.

The court was told Barnes had been remanded in custody since Christmas Eve.

Sheriff Chris Dickson deferred sentence until May 24 for the production of a Criminal Justice Social Work Report and remanded Barnes in custody.