A PROLIFIC burglar is today starting a 10 month jail sentence after leaving DNA evidence at the scene of the crime.Jason Nicholls, 22, of Nacton Road, Ipswich, denied stealing three LCD television sets worth £2,000 from an Ipswich shop in the early hours of March 4 despite being seen by nearby residents.

A PROLIFIC burglar is today starting a 10 month jail sentence after leaving DNA evidence at the scene of the crime.

Jason Nicholls, 22, of Nacton Road, Ipswich, denied stealing three LCD television sets worth £2,000 from an Ipswich shop in the early hours of March 4 despite being seen by nearby residents.

Detectives investigating the scene of the burglary in Queen's Way found blood spattered on broken glass in a window, and across the floor of the business premises.

Prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court where Nicholls appeared for sentencing, Godfried Duah said: “Mr Nicholls, with another offender, was seen by a gentleman at home who heard the sound of loud noise outside the premises.

“He looked outside and saw two people outside the shop. A window had been damaged and two individuals were leaning into the premises and stealing items.”

The resident called police, who arrived at the scene to find blood on the pavement and on the broken glass.

When Nicholls, a father-of-two, was first interviewed he denied the offence, and told officers who noticed he had injured his hand that he had done it while gardening.

After he was told that a match had been confirmed between his DNA and that found and the scene of the crime, he claimed not to be able to remember what he was doing at the time of the burglary, due to consuming alcohol and drugs.

He later admitted the offence while being interviewed.

The court heard he had previously been convicted of two burglaries. In 2000 he stole fishing equipment from the shed of a house, and in 2005 he stole two cars after breaking into a house and taking the keys.

In addition, the court heard, the latest offences were made more serious due to the fact he was serving a community order for motoring offences at the time they were committed.

In mitigation, Lindsay Cox said: “The defendant entered and early guilty plea, and this was a commercial burglary rather than a private house burglary.”

Jailing Nicholls for ten months, Judge John Devaux said: “You abuse drugs and regularly drink to excess.

“It is said that your offending is underpinned by boredom, drug use and risk taking.”

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