A man has admitted stealing a valuable antique violin from Sidcup which was later reunited with its owner.

Anthony Matthews, 33, from Eltham pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared at Bexley Magistrates Court on October 15.

Few details of the prosecution's case were given in court after Matthews entered his guilty plea.

The court heard the charge related to the theft of a violin, vauled at more than £1,000, which went missing from the home of its owner in Penhurst Avenue.

Following an investigation the violin was later recovered by the police and returned to its owner, magistrates heard.

Matthews was bailed to return to the court on October 20 for sentencing.

News Shopper previously reported that the the violin belonged to teacher Louise Hope, aged 29, who was distressed when she realised the instrument had disappeared from her home.

Paul Balmer, a violin restorer and dealer, who works at Bird College of Dance in Sidcup, saw the appeal and alerted police as he had bought the violin from Cash Converters in Sidcup and planned to restore it.

A reunion was arranged at the store and the violin was returned to Miss Hope.

Cash Converters refunded Mr Balmer..

Miss Hope said: "It was such an emotional moment knowing it was my violin and after all these months of heartache and searching it was finally back with me."

Sergeant Mark Rudd from Bexley Police said: "All parties working in partnership ensured that this was a fantastic result for Louise, and it's great to be able to reunite her with it as it has so much sentimental value, as well as making an arrest in the process."