A burglar was caught and jailed after leaving his fingerprints at the scene of a break-in.
Dean Holm, aged 33, left his mark after removing his gloves to prise open a jewellery box he’d plundered from inside of a locked filing cabinet.
Moments earlier he had smashed his way into the property in Valley Road, West Bridgford.
After searching multiple rooms, he made off with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery.
Police were informed on Tuesday 3 January when the victim returned home from a few days away.
A thorough forensic investigation was carried out at the scene, which uncovered Holm’s finger and palmprint on the box.
He was identified from the national police database and arrested shortly afterwards.
Further damning evidence was found on his mobile phone, which showed he had researched several stolen watches to gauge their value and placed a call to a local pawnbroker.
Holm, of Burton Road, Gedling, who was jailed in 2016 for six house burglaries, later pleaded guilty to burglary.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court today (Tuesday) he was jailed for three years.
Detective Sergeant Ben Skellern, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Unsurprisingly this case caused considerable upset to the victim, who is constantly reminded of the stranger who invaded her family home.
“Many of the treasured items stolen that day have never been recovered and no amount of insurance money can possibly replace them.
“I hope, however, that she can find some comfort in the fact that Holm is now serving a richly deserved prison sentence.
“This was an exemplary investigation by all involved that has helped to prevent other residents from falling victim to similar offences.”
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