A bungling burglar who left behind a rucksack containing his name and address at the scene of a crime has been jailed for four years.
Malcolm Pyke, 43, broke into a garage in East Herrington, Sunderland, and stole £150 of cleaning equipment on 6 March.
As he was making his getaway, he accidentally left behind a bag which contained letters bearing both his name and address.
This information helped lead police officers to his home, where the stolen equipment had been left out in the open.
Detective Sergeant Chris Raper-Smith said: "Malcolm Pyke is a prolific thief who has consistently proven a disregard for the law and the welfare of others.
"Unfortunately for him, his latest offence which was fairly unsophisticated saw him leave behind a number of personal items which directed officers straight to his front door".
The stolen equipment has been returned to its rightful owner.
In addition to pleading guilty to the burglary, Pyke also admitted another burglary, as well as two thefts of property in relation to what police have called a "crime spree" during which he stole clothes from a family's washing line.
Latest Stories
-
Photos from DW-JoyNews street debate on ‘galamsey’
30 mins -
Mimmy Yeboah: Blending heritage with global sophistication, confidence redefined through couture
45 mins -
Akufo-Addo commissions 97-km Tema-Mpakadan railway line
1 hour -
Majority requests recall of Parliament
1 hour -
Kanzlsperger and Professor Quartey support WAFA with medical Donation
1 hour -
Gideon Boako donates 10 industrial sewing machines to Yamfo Technical Institute
2 hours -
‘Golden Boy’ Abdul Karim Razak honored at WAFU-B general assembly
2 hours -
Buipewura Jinapor secures Vice Presidential position in National House of Chiefs with record votes
2 hours -
2024 election: I want results to come out like ‘milk and honey’ – Toobu
2 hours -
Ghana’s Henry Bukari hands over chairmanship of ECOWAS Brown Card Council of Bureaux
2 hours -
Residents of Dome-Kwabenya on edge ahead of December elections
3 hours -
Moffy drops new single ‘Wo’, blending culture and modernity
3 hours -
Don’t bring soldiers to polling stations – Martin Kpebu
3 hours -
Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II retained as President of National House of Chiefs
3 hours -
Embrace ICT to fit in digital world – Ho NYA boss to youth
4 hours