JAILED: Burglar trapped by fingerprint on window 'was high on drink and drugs'
A bungling burglar left his fingerprint on the window through which he broke into a house, a judge heard.
Mitchell Hayward could remember little of the crime because he was high on drink and drugs, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The 25-year-old struck while the occupant and his family were away from the Walsall address for less than an hour, revealed Mrs Sati Ruck, prosecuting.
He and another man made an untidy search of the property, leaving kitchen cupboards open and the contents of drawers strewn across the floor in other rooms when they fled with an £850 haul of three tablet computers at around 5pm on April 13.
Mrs Ruck continued: "Access was gained by the forcing of a kitchen window and a fingerprint of the defendant was found at the point of entry on the outside of the frame."
This, coupled with him being recognised by police officers from CCTV footage, led to his arrest. His accomplice is still at large.
Hayward had been convicted of burglary twice previously and Miss Jodie Smith, defending, conceded: "He lost his way in life after being plagued by drink and drug addiction.
"His family were so disappointed with his behaviour that he had effectively been disowned and can give no real reason as to why he committed this offence.
"He had just been released from custody but was not on licence and did not have the benefit of the probation service when this happened.
"But since then he has made an effort to turn his life around and this has led to his family resuming their involvement with him.
"He has also been working for an agency and there is an awful lot of good in him and, hopefully, when he matures, he will be able to enjoy a sensible and stable existence."
Father-of-two, Hayward, from Stowe Street, Walsall, whose children are aged six and four, and whose partner is expecting another child, admitted burglary and was jailed for two years four months.
Judge Michael Challinor told him: "People who go before the court and are concicted for a third time for burglary must have a sentence of at least three years before any reduction for a guilty plea.
"It is quite clear that drugs are at the root of your problems.
"Your children need you and, the sooner you show some responsibility and knuckle down, the better."
