AN Eden teenager burgled a neighbour's home, stealing underwear that belonged to a  woman who lived there, a court heard.

The 15-year-old admitted the offence to police after he was spotted acting suspiciously near the victim's home and arrested. At Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates' Court, the boy admitted a single offence of burglary.

He sneaked into a house in a village near Penrith on October 13 last year.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said that the woman whose home was targeted had left her garage door unlocked when she went out for a 50-minute walk in the area where she lives.

She had known the defendant for a number of years and noticed him in the area as she was leaving her house.

The youth had often said hello to her in the past, said Mrs Ward.

As she returned from her walk, the woman again noticed the teenager, but this time he was acting strangely, crouching down as he moved along the side of her house while carrying a rucksack.

The prosecutor said: "She arrived home at 6.05pm, and the following morning she realised that some of her underwear could not be found.

"The following evening, she noticed also that her underwear drawer in her bedroom was virtually empty.

"She immediately thought of [the defendant's] strange behaviour."

The prosecutor outlined the teenager's police interview after his arrest.

He readily admitted going into the house through the unlocked garage door.

While inside the property, he spotted the women's clothing. He admitted stealing the items, said Mrs Ward.

She added: "In his first interview, he said he went inside because he was curious.

"He could see women's clothing, and underwear. He said he likes to wear this type of clothing."

After hearing the details of the case, magistrates said they needed a background report before passing sentence. The defendant was granted bail until the day of his sentencing, which was set for July 24.