A hapless burglar who stole an expensive collection of whiskey was snared after leaving behind his DNA and fingerprints.
Michael Dabbs was interrupted by the victim's brother as he raided a home in Byker but claimed someone was upstairs and fled when the man went to investigate. A court heard that the 41-year-old had ransacked the property and made-off with a number of "special" bottles of Jack Daniels, worth £2,000, a designer jacket and an ID badge.
However, the careless crook, who is currently serving a prison sentence for a separate burglary, left behind his fingerprints and DNA and he was subsequently identified and tracked down. This week, Dabbs, formerly of Greenford Road, in Walker, was jailed for 876 days after he pleaded guilty to one count of burglary.
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David Povall, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court, said the brother of the victim was keeping an eye on his home while he was away on business in July last year. On July 31, he left the property locked and secure then entered it later the same day.
Mr Povall continued: "He was confronted by the defendant, who handed him a cap and some other items, saying they had been found outside and he suggested there was somebody upstairs. [The brother] ran upstairs and the defendant made-off.
"The property had been, effectively, ransacked. Every cupboard and draw had been emptied on the floor. There was a collection of various bottles of Jack Daniels whiskey missing, about £2,000-worth as they were special bottles, as well as a Ralph Lauren jacket, which had the complainant's security industry association ID badge in it. There was also the cost of the damage."
The court heard that Dabbs's fingerprints and DNA were found at the scene, including on the cap, which he'd handed to the victim's brother. He was subsequently identified and arrested.
Andrew Walker, defending, said Dabbs had got himself a job within HMP Northumberland and was using his time in custody constructively.
