A thief who stole a number of rings was snared by his distinctive wallet.
Martin Ramsay, 38, admitted making off with the jewellery from the Loft furniture store in Perth’s High Street on December 18 last year.
He had earlier been seen acting suspiciously near the rings, which formed part of a display. It had been noted that the thief carried a wallet bearing a Union Flag design.
When arrested by police on an unrelated matter, they discovered a wallet matching the description of the one carried by the thief. Officers found inside a note relating to the sale of the stolen rings inside.
Ramsay sold the rings, worth £150, for just £30 in order to buy drugs. He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court. Depute fiscal John Malpass told Sheriff Lindsay Foulis shop staff identified Ramsay from a picture.
He said: “The accused was detained on another matter and, when searched, officers found a distinctive Union Jack wallet. Inside was a note indicating that the rings had been passed on to someone else.
“A photo was taken back to the shop and the accused identified.”
Defence agent Jamie Baxter said Ramsay, of Iona Court, had a long-standing problem with drugs.
Sentence was deferred for Ramsay to be of good behaviour. Sheriff Foulis ordered him to pay the store for the loss of the rings.