DNA samples from blood led police to heroin addict James Turner who cut himself smashing windows to break into two houses.

Turner, aged 29, at first denied the offences but later admitted breaking into the houses so that he could sell the property to fund his addiction.

Turner, of Little Holme Walk, Great Lever, was jailed for three years when he appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence. During the first burglary last October, Turner smashed a rear window and stole a Dreamcast games console.

Police found blood on a cabinet and wall and took samples for DNA testing.

The second burglary happened on January 21 this year. The homeowners returned to find a rear window smashed and property stolen. Police found blood smears at the scene.

When he had been arrested for the original burglary Turner did not answer his bail order.

He eventually gave himself up to the police on May 2 when his licence from his previous sentence was revoked and he heard about the arrest warrant. Judge William Morris said the courts had a duty to homeowners.