Burglar captured by DNA on pear

A bite from a pear and DNA analysis led Edwards to court

A man who took a bite from a pear during a break-in was caught when his DNA was found on the fruit.

Gavin Edwards and Jonathan Mantle, both 21, were disturbed by the occupant of the house in Blackwood, south Wales.

Edwards hid and ran off, but analysis of the half-eaten pear showed he had been there, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Edwards was given a one-year suspended sentence. Mantle, of Blackwood, who also pleaded guilty to burglary, was earlier jailed for 30 months.

I should lock you up for 15 months but it seems that it wouldn't be in society's interest Judge Jonathan Durham Hall to Gavin Edwards

The court heard that the two staged the break-in after a night of drinking in April.

Rachel Knight, prosecuting, said Mantle fled the house when they were disturbed, and was caught hiding in a nearby bush by a police dog handler.

She said: "The defendant (Edwards) hid somewhere in the house and ran off, having eaten a pear."

The court heard that the fruit was later sent off to a laboratory for DNA tests which proved Edwards had been in the house with Mantle.

Unpaid work

Mantle, of Blackwood, who has 17 previous convictions for burglary, was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment last week

Sentencing on Edwards, who works as a wheelie bin cleaner, had been adjourned.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said: "I should lock you up for 15 months but it seems that it wouldn't be in society's interest.

"I doubt whether you want to come back to court quickly so I intend to pass a suspended sentence."

Edwards' 12-month sentence was suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and made subject to an enhanced thinking skills programme with the probation service.

Judge Durham Hall added: "If you go out drinking and getting into trouble then you will know exactly what will happen. I would like you to go away and not trouble us again."