A bungling burglar was jailed for two years after he left a trail of clues at crime scenes including DNA, fingerprints and – his mobile phone.
Dozy Matthew Jones, 21, left his DNA on beer glasses, a whisky bottle and cigarette butts in four stolen cars.
He was traced by police and arrested for a house burglary – after leaving his mobile phone in the property.
Jones, who had previous convictions for dangerous driving and burglary, was jailed for two years at Bristol Crown Court.
He admitted two counts of handling stolen goods, one of burglary and asked for two more counts of handling stolen goods to be taken into consideration.
Judge Carol Hagen said: ”It’s time you started to take responsibility for your actions.
”Alcohol and drugs seem to be an ongoing problem with you and this is a serious escalation in your offending.
”The consequences have caused serious concern to innocent members of the public.”
A brand new £11,000 Toyota Yaris which was stolen from a home in Bath last Christmas was found abandoned with one of Jones’ cigarette butts inside.
A stolen £600 Vauxhall Astra contained a beer glass with Jones’ fingerprints, which were also found on a whisky bottle in a Renault Laguna which was later stolen.
A car taken from a sports club on January 2 was found Bedminster, Bristol with a beer glass marked with Jones’ fingerprints inside.
The court heard Jones, of Hotwells, Bristol, had previous convictions for dangerous driving and burglary.
At least he was courteous enough to not litter the streets with his cigarette ends…