A BUNGLING burglar who was caught by police after leaving behind a pawnbroker's receipt revealing his name was jailed yesterday.

Anthony Bond

A BUNGLING burglar who was caught by police after leaving behind a pawnbroker's receipt revealing his name was jailed yesterday.

Heroin addict Andrew Laing, 37, was sent to prison for three-and-a-half years at Ipswich Crown Courtafter earlier admitting burgling two homes and attempting to burgle another in Felixstowe.

The court heard how Laing, who has a history of previous burglary offences, was arrested after he left a number of papers with his name on them - including a pawnbroker's receipt and bail notice - in a home he burgled in Holland Road on March 8 this year.

On the same night, he also stole various items of jewellery from a property in Russell Road and had previously attempted to burgle a home in Victoria Road in February.

In sentencing him, Judge John Devaux said: “You left a number of clues for the police to find that led to your early arrest” before adding “you have an unenviable record for burglary”.

The court heard how at the time of the offences, Laing was living in Felixstowe with his brother, who was attempting to support and help him.

At the Holland Road home he burgled, a 75-year-old man was watching TV in his lounge when he heard a door open. He disturbed Laing who then fled. But he left behind the pawnbroker's receipt and other paper's revealing his identity.

Police then arrested Laing and found a holdall containing some of the items of jewellery he had stolen. On being arrested, he told officers “it was a relief”.

During yesterday'ssentencing, Marcus Croskell, representing Laing, said his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had cooperated with police officers.

He added: “He accepts that what he did was wrong and he is remorseful for what he has done and the effect it has had on others.”