Prolific thief's courtroom admisison

A prolific burglar has admitted stealing Bill Bailey's tour bus from outside a theatre.

Francis John Whittaker was remanded in custody yesterday after confessing to stealing the Mercedes van from outside the Liverpool Philharmonic in October

The 35-year-old had 42 convictions for 84 offences, including burglary, Liverpool magistrates were told.

Whittaker admitted burglary and two charges of vehicle theft after keys and a laptop were stolen from the venue while production crew were setting the stage for Bailey's stand-up show Limboland.

The thief was arrested following an appeal and the release of CCTV images by Merseyside Police.

At the time of the offence, Bailey tweeted: 'Lively crowd @liverpoolphil last night - shame our tour bus was nicked from outside the venue! So gig not too bad all things considered…'

The bus - bearing false number plates - was recovered last month following a crash four miles from the Philharmonic.

The court heard Whittaker also stole a Vauxhall Vivaro from outside the Hilton Hotel on August 17.

Whittaker's case has been committed to Liverpool crown court for sentence. He will appear before them on January 4. He was denied bail and remanded in custody.

Bailey's Limboland tour begins a run in London's West End next week – and will be back at the Liverpool Philharmonic in May.

Published: 5 Dec 2015