A thief broke into the home of one of Scotland's leading Catholic clergymen and stole his collection of valuable whisky and cognac.

Career criminal Simon Winks, 36, has been warned he faces a lengthy spell in prison after robbing the Rt Rev Monsignor Hugh McInally, 80, at his Perthshire home.

Fiscal depute Carol Whyte told Perth Sheriff Court that witnesses saw Winks and another man carrying a holdall. A dog walker noticed damage to the Monsignor's door and called the police.

Mrs Whyte said: "They were searched and within the holdalls was a quantity of expensive alcohol, mainly whisky and cognac."

Officers found drawers and cupboards ransacked, but an ornamental silver cutlery set and other valuable items were left behind.

Winks, a prisoner at Perth, admitted breaking into the retired Monsignor's house in Glendoick, on 17 July and stealing alcohol, two holdalls and a mobile phone.

Solicitor Ann Johnston, defending, said her client was a "recidivist" criminal who had been offending for 20 years and fully expected to be jailed for this offence.

She said: "He has displayed remorse and, for the first time in his life, has shown some insight into how his offending would affect the person concerned," she told the court.

Sheriff Fiona Tait deferred sentence for reports but warned Winks he faced a lengthy prison sentence. He was remanded in custody.