A car thief was caught an hour after launching his raid when its owner tracked it using a mobile phone app.

Guy Weston, 34, a prisoner at HMP Perth, admitted the theft at an address in Arbroath on February 17.

Weston's victim went to his bed around 1am, with his son returning home half an hour later and noticing the car was not in the driveway.

The owner had parked up and secured the vehicle at around 11pm and left his key in his kitchen.

When he was alerted the car was missing he immediately picked up his phone and loaded an app provided by his car insurer, which instantly tracked the car to Bonnethill Court in Dundee.

The owner called police, who went to the block of flats and found the car parked outside.

CCTV footage showed Weston parking at the scene before going into the building and entering a flat.

Fiscal depute Charmaine Gilmartin told Dundee Sheriff Court police went to the door and their knocking went unanswered.

Meanwhile, officers outside saw a man at the flat's balcony throwing clothing and a car key off the fifth floor landing.

Ms Gilmartin said: "Police were then allowed in and the accused was found wearing distinctive clothing as seen in the CCTV.

"The car was fully recovered along with its contents."

Weston pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of theft of a motor vehicle.

Defence solicitor advocate Jim Laverty said: "He accepts the serious nature of this particular offence.

"He is currently on a community payback order imposed before this offence."

Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence until next month for social work background reports and remanded Weston in custody meantime.

He said: "He's got a very bad record, in particular for disobeying orders relating to motor vehicles."