Man admits watch theft

A MAN has admitted stealing a £9,500 18-carat gold Rolex watch from a city pawnbrokers.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Mark Saines, 30, of Meadowfield Terrace, went into Duncanson and Edwards in Queen Street on June 3 last year and picked out the watch.

Fiscal depute Malcolm Stewart said Saines had put it on his wrist and asked the assistant if they had paperwork and a box for it.

"The assistant went to the back of the counter to check and, as he did so, the accused ran out with the watch."

Sheriff Fiona Reith QC deferred sentence.