Burglar who left his DNA at crime scene is jailed for five years

William Westbrook, 55, of Marigold Court, in Bridgend, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, one count of fraud and one count of handling stolen goods.

Westbrook broke into the conservatory of a home in Wykeham Field, Wickham, overnight on Sunday, September 30.

After being unable to get into the rest of the house, he left empty handed '“ but left his DNA around one of the windows.

The court was also told that Westbrook was identified on CCTV using a bank card which had been stolen from a house in Lynch Hill Park, Whitchurch between October 4 and October 8.

After admitting the offences, Westbrook was sentenced to five years in prison.

PC Craig Robinson, from the Operation Hawk team based in Basingstoke, said: '˜Westbrook did not care about what impact his selfish actions would have on his victims.

'We hope this sentence will come as some reassurance to them and other residents that he no longer poses any threat now that he is behind bars.

'˜We know how devastating it can be when someone invades your home, so we will do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.'