Cola can leads to conviction of thirsty burglar

Daniel Irvin stole a can of cola from the victim's fridge while ransacking their house

A thirsty burglar who stole a fizzy drink from the fridge of the home he was raiding has been jailed after the can provided forensic evidence.

Daniel Irvin smashed windows and ransacked two homes on Stonegate in Thorne, Doncaster, stealing items including jewellery, watches, a TV and a tablet device in August last year.

The 39-year-old, of no fixed address, took a cola can from one of the homes and later discarded the drink near the scene of the burglaries, linking him to the crimes.

Irvin was found guilty of two counts of burglary at Sheffield Crown Court and was jailed for three years at the hearing on 13 November.

The drinks can was recovered and analysed by crime scene investigators, South Yorkshire Police said, leading to his identification.

A ring stolen from one of the homes was found being worn by a relative of Irvin, with CCTV evidence further connecting him to the crimes.

He was cleared of one count of attempted burglary.

Det Con Rachael Gilsenan, from the force, said: "Irvin showed absolutely no regard for his victims as he invaded their homes and plundered through their possessions.

"Burglaries leave an obvious financial impact on victims, but there is also an understated psychological impact which we sadly see very often in these types of cases.

"I hope his victims can feel a sense of justice and I want to assure you that we will continue to pursue justice on behalf of any future victims of this crime."

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