A Dundee firebug started a series of city centre blazes, causing thousands of pounds of damage.
Christopher Adam, who has more than 30 previous convictions, broke into a car, stole a TV and set fire to a car and a motorbike in Dundee city centre, causing more than £7000 worth of damage.
Concerned residents called the emergency services 22 times as flames engulfed one of the vehicles, causing several explosions.
As the former waiter threw a traffic cone at Brassica restaurant, from which he was on sick leave, he was spotted by a security officer setting up for a Rita Ora concert at Slessor Gardens.
Depute fiscal Nicola Gillespie said: “At 4.05am on July 27 a person was within their home address when they saw an orange glow from one of the vehicles.
“They saw a male walk away. They saw the car engulfed (in flames) completely. There were several small explosions.
“A member of the public, who was employed as security at Slessor Gardens for a concert, heard someone kick bollards and saw a traffic cone hitting the window (of Brassica).
“He didn’t want to confront the accused but shone a torch to make him aware someone was there. Police were called.”
When police arrived, they found three damaged traffic cones and a Brassica employee saw some fire damage within the restaurant.
The motorbike, bought for around £7000, was said to have been a write-off.
Adams, 32, of Tulloch Court, pleaded guilty to breaking into a car, stealing a TV, setting fire to a car causing the fire to spread to another vehicle and causing damage to both on July 27 at Trades Lane.
He also admitted setting fire to a tarpaulin and causing damage to the motorbike underneath on Allan Lane.
Adams further pleaded guilty to setting fire to a menu, which caused the fire to spread and cause damage to a table at Brassica.
All offences were committed while the accused was on bail.
The bail order was revoked and Adams was remanded in custody to await sentencing, which will take place on May 24.
