A thief who targeted shoppers at Dewsbury Market has appeared in court.

Antoni Wisniewski , 48, pleaded guilty to charges of theft and attempted theft.

The court heard that the incident happened over two Sundays when the market was being held in the town.

On September 21 Terrence Sheffield was there looking at various items on a stall.

He felt something at the side of him and was informed by another market user that a theft had taken place.

He checked his pocket and realised that a money bag containing cards had been stolen.

The following weekend on September 28 Lucas Cooke heard rustling to his right-hand side and turned around to see Wisniewski.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said: “He turned around to see that the defendant had tried to take something from his pocket.

“As a result of that he decided to follow him, trying to prevent any further offences taking place.

“In the course of that he took photographs of the defendant and his vehicle.”

The father-of-three initially denied the offences but changed his plea to guilty on the day that he was due to stand trial.

Kirklees magistrates ordered a report from probation staff before sentencing Wisniewski, of Barley Hill Road in Leeds.