WOMEN'S clothes were found strewn across a Hereford path after being stolen by a cyclist from a charity bank.

John Alexander Wall, of Merwald Close, Leominster, entered a guilty plea when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police had come across Wall carrying a plastic bag in Hereford's Hinton Community Centre car park on March 18, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

But instead of speaking to officers, Wall had got on his mountain bike and ridden away, leading officers to search the area for him.

An out-of-breath Wall was found a short distance away, while the white carrier bag was hidden under a nearby garden gate and women's clothing was strewn across the ground.

A search of his pockets revealed Wall, who has a previous conviction for possessing a weapon and is currently subject to a community order, was carrying a small Rolson lock knife and a small quantity of cannabis.

The bag of clothing was found to have been stolen from a charity clothing bank.

Chris Read, for Wall, said the 41-year-old had been carrying a knife, but that it was clearly a work tool.

"He had travelled to his sister's home in Withington that day to work on his mother's car, which is currently off the road, with his brother," Mr Read said.

"One of the jobs that needed doing was installing a dashcam, which meant electrical work needed to be done. He took the knife from the toolbox to do this and then put it in his pocket."

Wall had then cycled in to Hereford, planning to head to his brother's home, but had made a short stop in a cul-de-sac as he "really needed the loo," Mr Read said.

"He pulled up next to the clothing bank to relieve himself, saw there were bags on the floor, and picked one up," Mr Read said.

"Unfortunately police were driving by at that moment and decided to investigate his behaviour."

Magistrates decided to defer Wall's sentencing for three months to allow him to work with probation.