A COUNTY Durham burglar will be spending this Christmas behind bars after his DNA left on a discarded cigarette led to his conviction.

Andrew Tarren, of Warren Street, Peterlee, was found to have forced entry to an address in Horden on November 23 and fled the scene with stolen property including several stereo systems.

Despite no witnesses coming forward or CCTV available from the scene, Durham Constabulary officers investigating the case located a cigarette butt at the top of the stairs which did not belong to the victim.

Read more: Burglar took ladders from nearby garden to break-into house

After sending the cigarette for forensic analysis, officers linked 42-year-old Tarren to the crime, who was quickly traced and found in possession of three of the stolen stereos, as well as other stolen property that was taken from the house in Horden.

Tarren was arrested yesterday (December 21), with detectives working through the night to secure his charge for the burglary.

He appeared in court this morning where he pleaded guilty to the offence and was handed a 26-week prison sentence.

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