A BURGLAR who left a trail of DNA evidence at the scene of his crimes has appeared in court.
On three occasions, Craig Thompson Raper, 22, of Peabody Street, Darlington, left DNA evidence which enabled police to identify him after he burgled properties.
He left behind a cigarette butt, a can of cola, a bloodied bandage and a bowl of cereal.
Raper, who appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court yesterday pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, breaching a community order and failing to surrender to custody.
The court heard that Raper broke into Darlington Arts Centre twice. On the first occasion, in July, he broke into the accommodation block and stole an MP3 player. He was identified after a resident saw him smoking a cigarette outside and police were able to identify his DNA on the butt.
At the end of August, he broke into a cleaners' room and left behind a bloody bandage. He also helped himself to a bowl of cereal.
He also entered a garage in Craigmiller Park, Darlington, where he took wine and food. Police found a can of cola he had been drinking from.
Raper was remanded in custody until November 7 for a pre-sentence report.
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