Bungling criminal jailed after leaving fingerprints on beer can

Kevin Potts, 36, has now been sentenced to two years in prison for the attempted burglary at the property in Sprotbrough, South Yorkshire which took place earlier this year.

On Tuesday, July 10 Potts, of Oliver Street in Mexborough. tried to gain entry to the property in Melton Road at about 12.30am in the morning.

He smashed the glass in an external door and woke the householders, who then called the police.

Potts left without taking anything from the house, and was arrested by police a short while later, walking towards Mexborough while drinking a can of beer.

An open can of beer had also been left at the house in Melton Road which, when tested for fingerprints, was a positive match to Potts.

He appeared at Doncaster Crown Court on Thursday, October 4, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years for attempted burglary.

He was also sentenced to an additional four months in prison for breach of a previous suspended sentence.

PC Fahd Nassar said yesterday: “Burglary is an incredibly intrusive and disturbing crime that often leaves victims feeling violated and no longer safe in their own home, whether anything was stolen or not.

“I hope the sentence imposed reinforces the message from South Yorkshire Police that we will not tolerate any type of criminality.”