From the burglar who forgot his dirty laundry to the burglar who stared straight into a CCTV camera, these Sheffield criminals were caught for bungling the job.
Often, details of how offenders were brought to justice only come out on their day in court – and, sometimes, this reveals how they were caught for making one stupid mistake.
Below is a gallery of criminals who ended up in custody for making inexplicable choices while carrying out their offences.
5. Troy Duckworth - stared straight into the CCTV camera he was trying to disable
Troy Duckworth, 27, of Strawberry Avenue, Ecclesfield, raided three businesses in Sheffield - but his face was captured on CCTV at one of the properties after he looked right into the same camera he was trying to disable. The court heard: "His face was so close to the camera officers were able to identify him from it.” He was jailed for 22 months. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
Esam Harash, 28, of Clinton Walk, Broomhall, unknowingly sold Class-A drugs to undercover police officers on three separate occasions when they were put in charge of a drug gang's 'speedy line' burner phone. He was handed a suspended prison sentence and a drug-rehabilitation order at a hearing in March 2022. Photo: Chris Etchells
7. Terry Hutley - left dirty clothes in washing machine of home he burgled
Terry Hutley, 45, formerly of Bradley Street, Crookes, was jailed for 12 months in June 2021 after his DNA was traced from clothing he left at the scene of a crime. The bungling burglar was caught red-handed after he left his dirty clothes in his victim’s washing machine. Photo: SYP
8. Alexander Riley - Serial street robber identified from DNA in saliva after he bit terrified victim in underpass
Alexander Riley, 30, of no fixed abode, was part of a small gang of “street drug users” who left their victims scared for their safety. In a terrifying attack on a student, he and his gang put them in a headlock and robbed them - yet, for some reason, Riley saw fit to bite the victim on the arm during the assault. He was later caught through DNA left by his saliva. He was jailed for six years and nine months. Photo: SYP