A burglar who left DNA evidence and a wrench at crime scene in Colchester has been jailed for two years and 10 months.

Solomon Loveridge, 42, of Yeldham Road, Ridgewell, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday, Monday, April 9, and was sentenced the same day.

The court heard that at around 5.20pm on Sunday, October 29, a man returned home in Harwich Road to discover his home had been broken into.

Loveridge climbed through a bathroom window, carried out a messy search and left with jewellery, a games console and an iPhone and iPad.

A forensics team from Essex Police were sent to investigate and discovered a small patch of blood on a window.

The blood sample was later matched to Loveridge.

He was arrested on Sunday, November 26, after his image was released by police on social media as a wanted person.

Investigating officer Dc Mark Peacock, of Colchester CID, said: “Loveridge went out armed with wrench and broke into the victim’s home while he was working.

“He then emptied the contents of drawers and wardrobes, leaving the property in a mess before taking valuable electrical items.

“Loveridge left his DNA and the wrench at the scene and after a manhunt he was then arrested, put before a court and has been locked in a prison cell.”