A PROLIFIC burglar who broke into a large residential property in Wisbech and stole a flat screen TV and 30 computer games has been jailed for 25 months.

Steven Gascoine, 32, was caught after leaving DNA at the scene.

Detective Dave Murphy of Cambridgeshire police said : “Crime scene investigators did a great job and the DNA led us to Gascoine, who was a well known burglar with previous convictions.

“This was a significant arrest and conviction. It has prevented other people from becoming victims of crime. He was as prolific burglar and we caught him just in time.”

Gascoine, of Kirkgate Street, Wisbech, broke into the property in Townshend Road at Wisbech on May 24. The victim had left home at 8.15am, and on their return at 4.25pm discovered that glazing to a rear door had been smashed. A 16-inch flat screen TV, a car stereo and 30 computer games were stolen.

Gascoine admitted burglary, and was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court.

Det Insp Murphy said police in Wisbech is currently enjoying its best burglary detection rate for several years. “Gascoine was someone who we had been looking at, because we suspected him of burglary,” he said.

“Luckily this DNA test came through, and we are pleased to get him off the streets.”