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DIRTY TRICK

Two burglars snared after leaving traces of DNA on victim’s toilet paper

The pair stole £300,000 worth of prized jewellery

TWO raiders were snared following a 15-year crime spree — after going to the loo at a victim’s home.

Alan Skavydis, 56, and Paul Stephenson, 58, tailed antiques traders then burgled their homes.

 Alan Skavydis, 56, and Paul Stephenson, 58, were caught after police traced DNA from one of them left on used toilet paper
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Alan Skavydis, 56, and Paul Stephenson, 58, were caught after police traced DNA from one of them left on used toilet paper

They stole £300,000 gems but slipped up by leaving soiled toilet paper at one property, allowing cops to trace their DNA.

Prosecutor Michael Hammett said: "Police later located a quantity of soiled toilet paper in the garden. This yielded DNA hits on both defendants."

Officers then used numberplate recognition technology and CCTV to identify Skavydis and Stephenson at several of the antique fayres.

 The pair stole £300,000 worth of prized jewellery
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The pair stole £300,000 worth of prized jewelleryCredit: Alamy

Skavydis, of Romford, East London, and Stephenson, of Dagenham, Essex, admitted burglary.
Each got 6½ years’ jail at Cardiff crown court.

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