A 24-year-old man who admitted handling a charity cash box stolen from a church while on licence from prison could be sent back behind bars.

Richard Lowe was caught running away with the charity box which had been stolen from St Aldhelms Church resource centre, in the town centre, magistrates were told.

Richard Thomas, prosecuting, said a policeman in plain clothes was walking through the town centre on November 12 when he saw Lowe rushing towards him, hiding something under his jumper.

He stopped him and after finding the cash box, arrested him on suspicion of theft of the box and its contents. Later that day the box was reported stolen from the St Aldhelms Church resource centre.

When Lowe was interviewed he told police he had never intended to commit the offence but a friend entered with another person and took it. Lowe said he was given the cash box and told to meet his friend at the railway station.

The court heard the box and contents were worth about £160. It was found to be £100 short.

Lowe was jailed for three years in March 2000 and had a release date of January 2003, meaning he had about 14 months of the sentence outstanding when he was arrested.

Lowe, of Emlyn Square, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods magistrates adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports. He was released on conditional bail.