A DRUG addict who stole thousands of pounds worth of property from burglaries has been sent to prison for four years.

William Hollis left blood at the scene of three separate house burglaries allowing police to trace him through a DNA profile.

In a fourth house, DNA from a cigarette butt led police to Hollis.

In his search for cash to buy heroin, Hollis broke into four houses while their owners were away.

He stole £14,000 worth of property, including antiques, pottery and irreplaceable personal items of jewellery, none of which has been recovered.

Hollis, aged 37, of Alder Avenue, Bury, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence.

He admitted four house burglaries.

Judge Derwent Hope said that Hollis had a very bad record and, despite being sent to prison previously, he had carried on offending.

"These are four very serious burglaries and a long sentence is the only means of protecting the people of Bury from your offending," the judge told Hollis.

Tina Landale, prosecuting, said that the first burglary occurred on November 30 last year when Hollis broke in and stole property, including a watch and electrical items, worth £3,500.

The second break-in happened on December 30, last year, when Hollis smashed his way into a house and took children's toys, cash and electrical equipment worth £5,000.

The third burglary happened on January 17 when Hollis took a PlayStation, electrical goods and music valued at £1,200. The last break-in happened on January 23 when Hollis stole goods worth £4,300, including irreplaceable jewellery, antiques and pottery.

The court heard that Hollis had 49 previous offences on his record -- including, handling, drugs and many convictions for house burglaries.

Richard Hartley, defending, said that Hollis's offending sprang from his addiction to drugs which had led to his living in a trailer with no heat or running water.