Burglar caught after he left his own shoes in bungalow in Braunstone Lane, Leicester

A burglar who stole a home-owner's boots was caught because he left his own shoes at the scene, a court heard.

Mark Williams' DNA was found on the footwear and this led to his arrest.

The 46-year-old was jailed for two years and four-and-a-half months, after admitting burgling the bungalow in Braunstone Lane, Leicester, on the night of March 3.

John Hallissey, prosecuting, told the city's crown court the owner had recently bought the bungalow and was renovating it.

£10 OFF OUR SPRINT 20 RACE*

The Kurburgring

View details

Print voucher

start with 10 qualifying laps and then line up for 2 x 20 lap races ALL FOR £40 ( normally £50)

Terms: *terms and conditions apply
Age and height restrictions apply
Minimum of 4 people per race

Contact: 01623 702148

Valid until: Saturday, June 15 2013

He had moved some possessions into the property, which had two insecure windows.

Mr Hallissey said: "When he returned on March 4, he saw his clothes strewn over the floor."

An acoustic guitar, a sleeping bag and food had been taken.

A pair of boots was also missing, but had mysteriously been replaced with a pair of shoes.

Mr Hallissey said: "The defendant left his shoes behind, which had his DNA on.

"When arrested Williams admitted the burglary, saying he had needed somewhere to stay." The court heard Williams, of no fixed address, had 221 offences on his criminal record, mainly for theft and dishonesty crimes.

It was his third appearance for house burglaries, which qualified him for a minimum "three-strikes" three-year sentence, with a 20 per cent reduction for an early guilty plea, which was what he received.

Carl Gaskell, mitigating, said: "The psychiatric report concedes he had a personality disorder, but not of the sort that warrants a hospital order."

Judge Michael Pert QC said according to the report, Williams had claimed it was "easy" to fake psychiatric symptoms.

Mr Gaskell said the defendant's last convictions for house burglaries were in 2005 and 2006. He said: "He's committed numerous offences the length and breadth of the country, but mainly for minor offences."