A MAN who smashed his way into a friend's house was caught after leaving drops of his blood throughout the property.

Richard Kernan used a paving slab to shatter a window to get into his pal's Darlington home where he carried out a search but stole nothing.

Police found samples of blood in different locations and tests identified the defendant.

The 40-year-old initially told police he could not recall the incident as he had been taking heroin and ecstasy but later accepted the allegations.

In a victim impact statement, his friend said Kernan "betrayed" his trust and he now worries about the security of his home.

The victim was not at his Whessoe Road home when it was raided between February 5 and February 11.

Kernan pleaded guilty to burglary and asked Newton Aycliffe magistrates to take into consideration another offence of burglary on February 9 at a property on Willow Road, Darlington, when he stole a jacket containing a wallet and mobile phone.

Stephanie Thompson, mitigating, said Kernan was using drugs and had no recollection of the burglaries.

She added he had at one stage resided at his friend's house for three years and was now living with his parents.

Chairman of the bench Patrick Langdon said: "A dwelling house burglary is a very serious matter and can disrupt peoples' lives significantly."

Kernan, of Acklam Road, Thornaby, was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and must complete ten rehabilitation activity days and a six month drug rehabilitation requirement with the National Probation Service.

He was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to cover the repair cost of the victim's window plus £85 prosecution costs and a £115 victim surcharge.