A BURGLAR who left his footprints behind at five commercial premises was jailed for more than three years yesterday.

Andrew Wootton's size nine shoes left prints on floors and desks at companies he raided in Darlington and Yarm during a trail of 13 break-ins, said Philip Lancaster, prosecuting.

When Wootton was arrested for other offences, police took away two pairs of his shoes for forensic tests.

The distinctive wear patterns of the shoes matched the footprints found by scenes-of-crime experts, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Wootton, 31, stole £12,000 worth of clothing from Chantilley for Lingerie, in Yarm, and it was all recovered by police but found to be unsaleable.

His footprints were found at Darlington premises Cut Price Decorating and Howdens Joinery, said Mr Lancaster.

He was finally caught after an 80mph police chase in Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, during which he drove a stolen car along a footpath.

Ian West for Wootton, said he targeted commercial buildings. Since his arrest last December he had been in custody several times for other offences.

Judge George Moorhouse said; "The burglary of commercial premises can have a very adverse effect on small businesses, as was the case here."

Wootton of Marshall Avenue, Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough, admitted 13 burglaries, four offences of handling stolen goods, three of aggravated vehicle-taking and four of taking a vehicle without consent.

The judge told him that he had an appalling record for dishonesty. He jailed him for three years and two months and disqualified him from driving for four years.