Burglar jailed for more than 60 theft offences

Christopher Smith was caught after traces of his DNA were discovered on a bottle of soft drink he had left behind at the home of one of his victims

A prolific burglar responsible for a string of more than 60 thefts has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

Christopher Smith, 38, of no fixed address, carried out the offences in Luton and Peterborough between March and May.

He was captured after leaving DNA traces on a bottle of Cherryade soft drink at one address and on a spanner he had used to break into another.

Det Con Pawel Karpinski from Bedfordshire Police said that Smith was "a one-man crime wave".

The force said that in many cases, residents were at home when he broke in and on two occasions he was disturbed and had to make his escape.

He admitted one charge of burglary and two of attempted burglary, but 60 more offences were taken into consideration.

Det Con Karpinski said: "It is particularly upsetting that he was prepared to break into homes at times when it was likely that people would be at home.

"We know how disturbing burglaries can be for residents and I hope that the fact that we have managed to tie so many offences to this one man and that he is now behind bars gives some reassurance."

Smith was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on 21 November.