A MAN has appeared in court after burgling a house, taking a car and torching it.

Liam Lonsdale, 21, of Huddersfield Road, Honley, admitted burglary and vehicle theft.

Kirklees magistrates were told that Lonsdale and others entered a house in Huddersfield Road, Meltham, via an unlocked cellar door in the early hours of December 28.

Bill Astin, prosecuting, said the house was occupied when Lonsdale and associates entered and took Dell and Toshiba laptops, a Panasonic TV and hammer drill.

They also swiped keys to the owner’s black Vauxhall Vectra.

Mr Astin said: “The car was taken and driven badly – it nearly lost control.

“Eventually they have torched the vehicle and destroyed it.”

Magistrates decided they had insufficient powers to deal with the case and committed Lonsdale for sentencing by a judge at Leeds Crown Court on February 21.

He was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a curfew between 9pm and 6am, a ban on contacting a prosecution witness and entering Meltham.