A THIEF stole dozens of belongings from a group of teenage University performers who were hosting an orchestral concert at the Sheldonian Theatre.

Ashley Pipkin, of no fixed abode, crept in to the historic Oxford University venue on June 6 under the guise of needing to use the listed building's toilet facilities.

Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday how the 30-year old was sent to a downstairs basement by a member of staff while the Oxford University Philharmonia performed classics from Bach and Tchaikovsky upstairs.

Instead of using the facilities Pipkin instead went into a storage room which was filled with the university students' personal belongings.

Among the items, which had been stashed in the unlocked room during the performance, he stole four handbags which belonged to four of the teenage student performers.

Inside the handbags there were various items including a number of bank cards, mobile phones as well as ID papers including an Italian passport and Washington State driving licence.

Prosecutor John Upton told the court that Pipkin went on to try and withdraw cash from one of the bank cards before buying items at Sainsbury's, St Clements, and Tesco, Cowley Road.

After his short-lived spending spree totalling £47.88 he was later picked up by police who spotted him on CCTV nearby.

Mr Upton said of his arrest: "He was interviewed and made full and frank admissions at interview.

"Asked if he wanted to see the CCTV he chose not to and said 'there is no point, I done it'."

He added that Pipkin claimed to have 'thrown away' the items and could not recall where they were.

Hearing an application from Pipkin's defence team to adjourn sentencing while a pre-sentence report is prepared Judge Ian Pringle QC agreed to postpone the sentencing hearing.

Pipkin will stay in custody to await sentencing on September 20.