An opportunistic thief has been locked up after leaving his DNA behind on garden tools he used to try and break into a house.

Michael McDonagh, 33, targetted the Folkestone home during a 90 minute window on Saturday, October 19 after the owner popped out.

But when they returned they found their back door had been forced open and various rooms in the Radnor Park Road home had been searched.

A tablet computer, a watch and a mobile phone were stolen.

Due to the bedroom doors inside the house being locked, the theif unsuccessfully attempted to force them open using tools he found in the victim’s utility room.

One of the tools, a spray gun attachment for a garden hose pipe, was left wedged in one of the doors and forensic analysis uncovered McDonagh’s DNA on the item.

McDonagh was arrested on Thursday, November 7 and claimed in police interview that forensic experts were mistaken in thinking they had extracted his DNA from the hose piece.

He was charged with the offence the next day and was remanded in custody since.

He appeared at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday and after admitting one count of burglary was sentenced for two years and eight months in jail.

PC Sarah Copeland said: "McDonagh is an opportunistic offender who targeted the victim during a 90 minute window when they left their home unattended.

"Burglary is a deeply intrusive offence that can leave victim’s feeling uncomfortable in their own home long after the crime has been committed.

"The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of the offence and I am please McDonagh is no longer able to target innocent members of the public."

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