Careless burglar John Chaplin made life easy for detectives after leaving a trail of clues.
The officers were able to catch him through DNA tests because he left either cigarette butts or specks of blood at the scene of his crimes.
Chaplin, 48, of Sandon Road, Pitsea, pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to three garage burglaries and receiving stolen property. He was jailed for 15 months.
Published Thursday November 7, 2002
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