A BURGLAR linked to a raid after leaving his shoeprint on a toilet was jailed for three years yesterday.

Gary Flemming, 26, left the imprint of his trainer on the seat as he climbed through the bathroom window during a daylight raid on a house in Washington.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how all three bedrooms at the house were ransacked. During the raid, Flemming took the car keys to a Honda Civic and some designer clothes.

When arrested a few days later, Flemming was wearing a shirt which belonged to the homeowner. The shirt was identified by the owner and forensic tests matched Flemming's trainer with the imprint left at the scene.

Flemming, of Albion Terrace, Springwell, Washington, admitted burglary.

Defence barrister Jamie Adams said Flemming has been addicted to heroin for five years but was now on a methadone programme.