A serial criminal robbed a terrified young woman in her own home just two weeks after he had been freed early from jail.

Anthony Hannigan burst into the flat in Leith, Edinburgh armed with a kitchen knife and threatened a woman living there.

The 20-year-old was alone in the early hours of February 3 this year as Hannigan demanded cash.

He filled a suitcase with items from the flat before ordering the victim to drive to a local ATM to get him money.

A judge heard how at one point he hugged his victim and said sorry.

Hannigan eventually escaped having broke into two other houses in the capital hours earlier.

Hannigan struck after he had already been handed 55 convictions by the age of 26.

He had been released from prison on January 17, just 16 days before the robbery.

His criminal past included 24 convictions for housebreaking, four for robbery and three for assault.

Hannigan is now back behind bars after he pled guilty to four charges including assault and robbery on Wednesday.

He is due to return to the dock later this month.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the victim was in bed around 2am when she heard banging and drawers being closed.

She opened a door and was met by Hannigan, who was holding a kitchen knife.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing said the woman was "terrified" as she begged not to be hurt.

Mr Ewing said: "He stated he was a bad person."

Hannigan claimed he needed money as his mum would be harmed if he did not get any.

She pleaded she only had £50 - but the thug yelled back: "That's not good enough."

The court heard Hannigan went on to "hug her and apologise several times".

The victim begged him to go, but refused and insisted he would "hurt her" if she called police or did not get cash.

He demanded they go to a cash machine and she then drove with him to an ATM where she handed over £130.

Hannigan said he wanted dropped off at a flat near Easter Road stadium.

As he got out, he failed in trying to snatch the car key instead leaving the victim "distressed and emotional".

She called her dad and the police, but was "too frightened" to return home.

Hannigan was traced at another flat in Leith the next day.

A string of stolen items were found including a laptop, ear-rings, perfume and watches.

It emerged he had broke into two other homes shortly before the raid.

He had earlier discharged himself from hospital against medical advice having fallen ill.

He left wearing no shoes and initially stole from a property close to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The court heard he even used the toilet while there.

Hannigan then went to a nearby house, but fled empty handed after the woman staying there woke up and found him.

Shelagh McCall QC, defending, said Hannigan was now "appalled at his behaviour".

Referring to the robbery in Leith, Judge Lady Rae commented: "A young woman who must have been terrified being detained against her will.

"That is a very serious charge."

Sentencing was deferred for reports.