By New York Post (World News) | Created at 2025-01-10 16:00:06 | Updated at 2025-01-10 20:23:50
4 hours ago
A dopey burglar was caught after leaving a dog poop footprint behind at a crime scene.
Brian Harold, 20, was foiled after the distinctive marked muck was left at a home he was trying to burgle.
The dozy crook has now avoided jail after he admitted a spree of crimes including attempted burglary, two thefts from motor vehicles, another theft, and three counts of vehicle interference, at Carlisle Crown Court.
When police caught up with the then-19-year-old he was wearing the same shoes he had been wearing when he left the dog poo footprint.
Brian Harold, 20, was foiled after the distinctive marked muck was left at a home he was trying to burgle. Craig McGlasson / SWNSProsecutor Gerald Rogerson said the thief, along with another man, stole a nail gun, cordless drill, and charger, worth $795.44 (£650), from a parked van on August 27, 2024.
CCTV showed Harold, from Currock, Cumbria, proceeding to get into a parked Ford Focus with the other man, who is six years older, where he stole a silver ring and a keyring.
They then went on to travel over two miles across Carlisle to take a wooden wishing well from a doorstep before dumping it on a nearby street.
The duo then attempted to use a garden chair to climb up and burgle a nearby home but failed to gain access.
Police were able to use Harold’s footprint to prove a link to the crime scene.
Prosecutor Rogerson said the victim had been caused ‘considerable distress’ by the incident.
Marion Weir, defending, said Harold had been heavily influenced by his drug dependency and had since sought help for his issues while in custody.
The barrister said: “When he was challenged about his offending, he said it was something that should not have happened.
“He was a secondary, albeit an active participant in this offending.
“These are new types of offending as far as he is concerned.”
Judge Nicholas Barker told the defendant: “You were clearly out that night intent on stealing.
“You were aware of what you were doing but I do accept that submission that you were a secondary but willing participant.”
Harold has been sentenced to an 18-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation days.
The older man is due to be sentenced later.
