Burglar Frank Watkins broke into a clothes shop after asking a taxi driver to wait for him, a court heard. Watkins ordered the cab from his Dresden home to Longton in the early hours of Thursday, Milena Srdanovic, prosecuting, said.

She told North Staffordshire Magistrates that Watkins asked the taxi driver to wait for him for 20 minutes, which the cabbie agreed to do.

Miss Srdanovic said Watkins then went to the Bennett Precinct in the town to a shop called Ellie Louise. He took two bin liners out of his clothing and kicked the shop door. She told the court the whole incident was captured on CCTV and the defendant was seen leaving the shop before going back to the taxi.

When police went to Watkins home they found a small amount of clothing there. The defendant, aged 33, of Ricardo Street, Dresden, pleaded guilty to burglary. Sentence was adjourned until January 26.

Michael Kimberley, defending, said his client had rowed with his wife that evening and was upset. He told the court that Watkins had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was on medication.
 
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