Burglar who stole family’s Christmas gifts was caught after cops found his DNA on a half-eaten mince pie
A BURGLAR who stole a family’s Christmas gifts was caught after cops found his DNA on a partially-eaten mince pie.
Max Collier, 21, took wrapped presents, including kids’ toys and clothes, from under the tree after breaking into a house in the middle of the night.
The lone female occupant heard the thief and went downstairs but by the time she got there he had fled.
She discovered he had also been in the kitchen and had taken a single bite out of a mince pie, which allowed cops to get the DNA sample.
Police linked Collier to the festive theft in December 2016 in Alston, Cumbria, when he was arrested months later for another offence, Carlisle crown court heard.
He admitted the burglary but failed to show up for a sentencing hearing in February.
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He was later arrested and appeared before Judge Barbara Forrester last week. She told him he had committed a “very mean offence”.
Collier, of Haltwhistle, Northumbria, was given a 12-month suspended jail term. He must also complete 120 hours’ work and pay £200 compensation.
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