Bungling burglar from Barrowford left his name and address at the scene (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Bungling burglar from Barrowford left his name and address at the scene

4:22pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

A BUNGLING burglar was caught after he left behind his blood-stained T-shirt and his ‘calling card’ – a letter with his name and address on it.

Binge drinker Max Bancroft, 21, who repeatedly strikes in his home village of Barrowford, raided the living quarters of the George and Dragon pub after earlier being thrown out.

But Bancroft left blood on the carpet after breaking a window with a roof slate, along with a blood-stained letter with his name and address on it and his T-shirt.

Burnley Crown Court heard that the defendant went on to target a grocery shop the same night, where he ‘meanly’ stole a charity box plus food.

Again, he left blood at the scene but couldn't remember carrying out either of the raids.

Jobless Bancroft, who was in breach of two suspended sentences – one for two burglaries – and a com- munity order, was jailed for two years.

The defendant, of Higher Causeway, Barrowford, had admitted burglary with intent to steal at the pub, and burglary at Village Fayre, on Gisburn Road, between last December 14 and 15.

Nick Dearing, defending, said both burglaries were unsophisticated and his client had a drink problem He said: “He had no recollection of the offences at all and couldn’t say whether he had or had not committed them.

“When presented with the forensic evidence, he conceded that he must have committed these offences.

“He is terrified of the prospect of a custodial sentence. This will be his first time in custody.”

Sentencing, Recorder William T C Smith said: “The stupidity of the offence is highlighted by the fact you left a blood-stained shirt and your calling card in the form of an envelope with your name and address on.

“Together with the blood on the carpet, that identified you clearly as being the perpetrator of this burglary.”