A church burglar is due to be sentenced next month after admitting stealing money from churches in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Karl Evans, of Ellough Road, Beccles, pleaded guilty at North East Suffolk Magistrates Court to burgling St Mary’s Church in Halesworth.

The 25-year-old also admitted breaking into St Michael’s Church in Ditchingham in Norfolk between March 9 and March 12 where a donation box was taken.

The break-in at St Mary’s occurred between 10pm on March 29 and 7am on March 30.

Access was gained through the Priest’s door on the west side of the church.

Evans forced the door, knocking it off its hinges and damaging the doorframe.

He went into the office and made what police as an “untidy search”.

Evans stole a blue security box with a £20 float inside it.

After entering his guilty pleas Evans’ case was adjourned.

He is due to reappear before Lowestoft magistrates on December 2.