A MAN has admitted stealing a laptop computer from a farmhouse near Beaminster.

James Charles Studley, 29, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Dorchester Crown Court.

He admitted stealing an Apple Mac laptop computer from the farmhouse on June 2.

In an accepted basis of plea, Studley claimed he went for a walk that took him past the property in question and saw it was empty.

He took a screw driver from a neighbouring outhouse, which was open, to gain entry to the house and take the laptop.

Studley, of Chard Road, Drimpton, said he disposed of the laptop in nearby woodland shortly afterwards and his barrister Lawrence Wilcox said that the defendant was prepared to help police with the exact location.

The case was adjourned and Studley will be sentenced at Taunton Crown Court when the outcome of another burglary matter he faces, which Mr Wilcox said he plans to contest, is resolved.