A young barman who broke into a home in Luton was caught after he left behind a trace of his blood at the scene which provided police with his DNA.
It led officers to Ben Smith and in court he admitted the burglary at the property in Hedley Rise in February of this year.
At Luton Crown Court Smith, 23, of Havelock Road, Luton pleaded guilty to burgling the house on the morning February 3, 2021, when the young couple who lived there had gone off to work.
Judge Rebecca Herbert hearing the case was told that Smith got in got into the property by smashing a window and after carrying out and untidy and messy search of every room, took around £5000 worth of property including a chain worth £1800 and another worth £900.
However, Smith had cut himself in the process of getting into the house and as a result traces of his blood were left behind in the house which were to lead to his identification when tested for DNA.
The court was told Smith had carried out the break-in following an earlier argument in the street with the male occupier at the property. As a result of Smith’s actions that day the court heard the female resident at the house has been deeply affected and now struggles to sleep.
The couple have also had to install CCTV as security. Smith represented himself in court and Judge Herbert heard how he had been a regular user of cannabis.
He told the court “I understand I was wrong and I feel like I can change with the right things in place.”
Passing sentence Judge Herbert told Smith: “You have got a job and you need to sort yourself out.”
Smith was given a 12-month community order and told he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work He was also told he must carry out 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days when he will work with probation staff to address his offending.
In addition he was ordered to pay the couple whose home he burgled, £300 compensation.
