DNA in gloves helps nab Telford burglar brothers

Jason and Peter Clarke used bolt cutters to force their way into Booker wholesalers in Stafford Park, Telford, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

But the pair were later caught when DNA from gloves left at the scene were matched with their own. The goods, valued at £2,836.38, had been stored in houses of the Clarke brothers and a third defendant, David Llewellyn.

The Clarkes admitted burglary and handling stolen goods.

Jason Clarke, 29, of Wealdstone, Woodside, Telford, had 10 previous convictions for 15 offences. He was also found with 1.38 grams of mephedrone and charged with possessing the class B drug when the BMW he was travelling in was stopped by police.

The crime triggered a previous 12-week suspended prison sentence for false representation.

His brother, of Richmond Court, Wellington, was given a 23-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to comply with a supervision order.

Llewellyn, of Brunel Crescent, Swindon, was also charged with handling stolen goods and ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work.

Recorder Nigel Daly said: "Jason, you come before me charged with two offences – handling stolen property and possession of a class B drug. I have read the contents of the report, the comments from your family, the work you have done for charity and how you have changed your behaviour over the last 18 months.

"But I have to deal with the breach of this suspended prison sentence not just once with the impact of the burglary but also for handling and possessing a class B drug, which makes it three breaches.

"I will give you credit for keeping yourself out of trouble but I will give you six weeks for the breach, which along with your 23 weeks, will be 29 weeks in custody, of which you will serve half in prison and half on licence."

Mr Philip Clemo, for Jason Clarke, said he had turned his life around while becoming a "house husband" as his partner worked night shifts.