Thirsty thief caught after leaving DNA on beer can at Hencote Estate
A man who broke into a wine estate, stole air rifles and took drinks from the fridge was caught after leaving his DNA on a can of beer.
Jack Lloyd broke into Hencote Estate off Ellesmere Road in Shrewsbury and stole two air rifles worth £400 just six days after being given a conditional discharge for criminal damage.
The 30-year-old burgled the estate, which runs offices, restaurants and glamping pods on Cross Hill, on the night of January 21, Telford Magistrates' Court heard.
Sara Beddows, prosecuting, said: "The estate was left secured on the night. The manager attended the site the following morning and discovered there had been a burglary.
"The hinges to an office door had been ripped off and windows around the back of the property had been damaged and wrenched open.
"A printer had been moved, two air rifles and their cases had been removed and there were muddy footprints on the walls.
"A can of Coca Cola and a can of beer had also been taken from the fridge, drunk and thrown on the floor."
DNA
The court heard the site's glamping pods had also been searched and that the repair costs for the damage had not yet been totalled by the company.
"There was DNA found on the can of beer which led to the police arresting the defendant," she added.
Lloyd, of Wingfield Close in Ditherington, Shrewsbury, has a history of offences for shop theft and an ongoing drug problem, the court was told.
He pleaded guilty to burglary and commission of a further offence while subject to a conditional discharge at Kidderminster Magistrates Court before appearing in Telford for sentencing on Friday.
'Revolving door'
Probation officer Phil Kaleta said: "It's been a revolving door for the defendant who has been in and out of prison.
"He has seen a series of breaches but to his credit he is cooperating with probation. There are issues with his mental health which combined with drug use has caused problems.
"He needs to go back to his doctors which he is intending to do. Hopefully he can do this and get back on track which will lead him to not keep receiving these short term prison sentences."
Chair Russell Thomas said: "As a result of what we have heard, we are looking to deal with this with a suspended sentence.
"Our decision is that you will have an 18 -week custodial sentence, reduced from 24 weeks and suspended for 12 months – with the condition that you must completely and fully comply with probation."
Lloyd was also fined £100 costs, £115 victim surcharge and £400 compensation for the two air rifles.
