A SERIAL Dudley criminal who raided two properties in Stourbridge has been locked up for two years – after he left behind his fingerprints on a half drunk bottle of wine.

Shaun Mitton, of Halesowen Road, who has 80 previous convictions on his record, first targeted a house in High Street, Amblecote, which was empty because the family were on holiday.

The 33-year-old got away with goods including four passports and £200 worth of clothing, said Kevin Jones, prosecuting.

He said Mitton then broke into a bungalow on the opposite side of the road and took a computer, household ornaments and £60 in cash.

Police were called to investigate and when the owners of the first property returned from their holiday, officers found the half drunk bottle of wine at the scene.

It was sent away for forensic examination and fingerprints were found to match those of Mitton, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Mr Jones said a cigarette butt found on a window ledge outside the burgled bungalow was also found to contain the DNA of the prolific offender.

Mitton admitted the two burglaries and Judge Stephen Eyre QC told him there was no alternative but to put him back behind bars.

Jas Mann, defending, told the court: “He was in the grip of drug addiction and at the time of the offences he was homeless having been evicted from his flat for rent arrears.

“That is why he consumed drink on the premises.”