A distinctive brown and white striped jumper provided police with the vital clue in a search for the 'prolific' thief who stole lead worth £3,500 from a church and doctor's surgery in Ipplepen.
South Devon Magistrates, sitting in Torquay on Wednesday, heard that 27-year-old Daniel Anderson of Haldon Close, Buckland, was caught on CCTV while on the roof of the health centre late at night on October 11.
His exploits at nearby St Andrew's Church went unobserved.
The next day he was seen again, this time on CCTV footage recorded at a scrap metal merchant's premises.
Anderson, wearing the same jumper, was spotted selling the lead for £110.
The court heard the dealer had bought it 'in good faith'.
Prosecutor Alex Allsop said that police later visited Anderson at his Newton Abbot home where the jumper was found.
He later told the arresting officer, PC Elliott, that he had been possession of the lead but that he hadn't stolen it.
But in court, where Mr Allsop said that Anderson had 21 previous convictions including a number for theft, he pleaded guilty to both charges.
His defence, Sarah French, described her client as 'a prolific offender' and that he was in breach of a licence following earlier court appearances.
Her request that sentencing be adjourned until a pre-sentencing report had been completed was granted.
Anderson was released on conditional bail until December 22.
He has been ordered not to meet with certain associates or enter Shaldon, nor is he to travel in non-fare-paying vehicles without the court's permission.
Magistrates have not ruled out imprisonment.