Specks of blood help convict burglar (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Specks of blood help convict burglar

2:42pm Saturday 16th March 2013 in News By Neil Hunter

A BURGLAR who ransacked a house while the owners were on holiday was jailed for two years.

Mark Hall stole hundreds of pounds worth of jewellery from the property in Marske, east Cleveland.

The devastation was discovered by the owners' teenage daughter when she returned home at night.

Drawers and cupboards were pulled out and the contents strewn all over as Hall searched for valuables.

Paul Newcombe, mitigating, told Teesside Crown Court that Hall, 41, is overcoming a heroin addiction.

He said the prolific offender has, over recent years, been able to curb his law-breaking and find a job.

Hall, of Pasture Lane, Middlesbrough, was convicted of burglary at a trial after specks of his blood was found at the scene.