It would have been difficult to conceal.

A man entered a Waterloo church and stole a “monumental candle,” court was told. It stands three feet tall.

Someone at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church on University Avenue West called police on Oct. 17 just before noon after seeing the man walk out with the candle, worth $386. It was not recovered.

Two weeks later, he stole a phone from Monarch Dentistry in Waterloo Town Square.

The man, 43, pleaded guilty to two theft charges Wednesday in Kitchener court. He has a long criminal record, but got credit for early guilty pleas.

He is hooked on crystal methamphetamine, but often has long periods of sobriety, said defence lawyer Stephanie Krug. When he’s off drugs, he works full time and takes counselling.

The man had an apartment in Kitchener, b

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