Bloodstains from finger lead police to serial burglar

Leeds Crown Court heard Paul Robinson had a record for similar offences and his DNA profile matched swabs taken after a break in at a home in North Close, Roundhay, Leeds, on December 11.

He had cut a finger when he smashed a window to get into the premises where he stole a 600 laptop from a study.

Philip Adams, prosecuting, said the householder got a call that her alarm had been activated and went home to discover the offence.

Robinson, 25 of Coldcotes Crescent, Gipton, Leeds admitted the burglary which, because of his record, made him liable for a minimum three-year sentence.

Jailing him for longer than that, Recorder Christopher Knox said he accepted Robinson had admitted his offence at an early stage. "The fact is you are a serial repeat burglar and people have got to be protected from you."

The woman householder had been too scared to enter the property until her husband got home. After that, they found the laptop missing, bloodstains and muddy footprints.

The garage of the couple's home had been burgled twice in the previous six months, leaving them apprehensive.

"This unfortunately is what burglaries do, they make people feel unsafe in their own homes."

Philip Morris, for Robinson, said he had "high aspirations" of staying out of prison on his last release from jail. He obtained work as a kitchen fitter with a group in Castleford, found a flat and was living on his wages.

Then because of the economic climate he and others were made redundant. He could not afford the flat, had to return to his family home and on the day concerned slipped into his old habit when his money ran out.