Burglar bags prison term after blunder

David Hanlon was jailed for four years after he raided a house in Huddersfield to fund his 40-a-day heroin and crack habit.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the 31-year-old, of no fixed abode, had been questioned by police about an unrelated burglary and following his release he broke into the house while the female occupant was asleep.

He left the incriminating bag at the scene along with fingerprints as he stole the keys to the woman's Renault car which he stole and tried to sell to a friend.

Hanlon, who has already been jailed three times for burglary, admitted house burglary, two offences of theft of a motor vehicle and going equipped for theft.

He asked for a further 18 offences, including 13 house burglaries, to be taken into consideration.

Judge Peter Benson said: "You are a persistent burglar who burgles on a grand scale.

"Although there are some amateurish features to your conduct which led to you being apprehended, nonetheless you are a scourge to householders."