A BALACLAVA clad man who threw a towel over 86-year-old Agnes West's head as she lay in bed, then burgled her flat in Devizes, turned out to be her grandson, Michael Haldenby.

Mrs West was left absolutely terrified, Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes heard on Tuesday.

Haldenby, 38, of Colston Road, Devizes, pleaded guilty to burglary in which he stole £200 belonging to his grandmother.

The magistrates said their sentencing power, which only allows them to give up to six months in prison, was insufficient. Haldenby will now be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

The burglary took place just after 7am on June 8 at Mrs West's flat in Stanford Court in Sheep Street.

Anna Humphreys, prosecuting, said: "The victim was woken up by something that was thrown over her head. It was a towel. She suffers from arthritis and finds it difficult to move but saw a man leaving her bathroom wearing gloves and a balaclava.

"He was carrying her carrier bag in which she kept her purse containing £200 cash.

"The victim was so scared that she stayed in bed for another half an hour before getting up and getting dressed. When the warden arrived she told him what had happened and he called the police."

Miss Humphreys said Haldenby was identified by another resident of the flats who saw him leave. The resident knew who Haldenby was because she had seen him visit his grandmother on previous occasions.

She said: "A security code has to be entered to get into the flats. The defendant knew the code.

Haldenby was arrested by police and fully admitted what he had done.

Miss Humphreys said: "He wasn't aware that his grandmother was awake and said he put the towel over her head so she wouldn't see him.

"He said he needed £170 to pay off a debt. After the burglary he threw the carrier bag, the purse and balaclava into the canal.

Andrew Eddy, defending, said Haldenby was full of remorse for his actions and wished to pass on his apologies to his grandmother.

He said: "At the time Mr Haldenby had serious debt problems. He clearly did not think through the consequences of his strange behaviour.

"He is gutted by the fact that he has done this. He has had no contact with his grandmother. Before it happened they were on good terms. He is genuinely sorry for what he has done. He will pay the money back."

Mr Eddy said Haldenby had personal problems.

"He is a man who has significant medical problems. He has had a lot of invasive surgery and he has a disability," he said.

He was released on unconditional bail.