A pub safe-raider was caught - thanks to a bottle of cola.

Alan Johnson had been recruited as look-out man by a gang who targeted the Turk's Head, in Tynemouth, North Tyneside.

The team spent hours knocking out the built-in safe, containing £6,000 takings.

But thirsty Johnson had helped himself to a drink of Coke from behind the bar.

And when forensic experts checked the crime scene, they recovered his empty bottle from a sink and matched his DNA from saliva on the rim.

Johnson, 40, of St Johns Street, Percy Main was jailed for three years and three months at Newcastle Crown Court, after he admitted burglary and a further offence of dangerous drivings.