A Lanarkshire housebreaker was caught after leaving a glove and a footprint at the scene of the crime.
Brian Hunstone kicked in the door of a property before stealing medication and a box containing £30 in cash.
Hunstone, 42, care of Blue Triangle, Wide Close, Lanark, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
He admitted breaking into a house in Cherrytree Crescent, Larkhall, on May 9 last year while on bail.
Hunstone also admitted entering an unlocked house in Hamilton Street, Larkhall, that day and stealing clothing, cash, medication and a handbag.
Referring to the break-in, prosecutor Chloe O'Hara said the householder had gone away overnight and in the morning a neighbour noticed a side door had been smashed and was insecure.
She stated: "Police recovered a glove from the garden and noticed a footprint on the door.
"The glove was analysed at the forensics lab and the accused's DNA was recovered.
"Analysis of the footprint showed it came from a size seven Nike Max trainer. Police found shoes that matched it at the accused's home."
The victims of the other theft had left their front door open.
One of the occupants was watching TV about 1.20am when the family dogs started to bark.
He went downstairs and saw the front door was open.
Police later found a jacket, a handbag and medication lying in the street. Another stolen jacket was recovered from Hunstone's home.
CCTV footage linked him to the area at the time of the theft.
Hunstone admitted previous convictions and defence agent Archie Hill said he is currently being assessed for a drug treatment and testing order following a case at Lanark. Sheriff Colin Dunipace deferred sentence until next month for background reports and continued bail, but warned Hunstone he could be jailed.
The sheriff said: "Be under no illusion. I take a very serious view of this type of offending."
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