THE owner of a stolen pushbike recovered it later the same day after finding the thief riding it in Hereford city centre, a court heard.
Stephan Roberts, 28, of Houseman Crescent, Ludlow, pleaded guilty to stealing a bike worth £2,000 on April 15.
Lesley Ashton, prosecuting at Hereford Magistrates Court, said David Jeanne, the owner of the bike, had left it in the bike rack at Climb on Bikes in Coningsby Street.
When he discovered the bike had been stolen at 3pm he looked at the shop's CCTV and saw a male wearing an orange jacket taking it.
At 5.30pm Mr Jeanne saw the male riding his bike in Hereford city centre and chased after him and recovered the bike. The male staggered off down St Owen Street, the court heard. He was later arrested in Ludlow.
George Cousins, defending, said Roberts spent the day riding around Hereford on the stolen bike and admits he was drunk at the time.
The court heard he had been to work in the morning and had been dismissed. He then had to walk 12 miles to Abergavenny, where he caught the train to Hereford and met friends.
As he was walking back to the train station to go back to Ludlow, he saw the bike and rode back into Hereford.
The court heard he had two young children and his partner is 20 weeks pregnant.
A probation report said Roberts had drug and alcohol issues. Sentencing has been adjourned until May 22 for a further report to be carried out.