Sheffield serial burglar tracked down by DNA from blood at crime scene

A serial burglar who struck at a veterinary surgery was tracked down from a DNA test of his blood found at the crime scene.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on August 6 how Anthony Sheldon, aged 43, of Lowedges Road, Lowedges, Sheffield, burgled a veterinary centre on London Road, Sheffield.

Neil Coxon, prosecuting, said: “There had been a break-in between March 13 and 14 and that resulted in a blood stain being found at the scene of the crime and subsequently this was identified to this defendant.”

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Mr Coxon added while Sheldon was on bail he burgled Plantology Floral Creations, on Division Street, Sheffield, between June 8 and 9, after the shop had been secured overnight.

Police tracked down a serial burglar from a DNA test after the offender cut himself and left a trace of blood behind at a crime scene.Police tracked down a serial burglar from a DNA test after the offender cut himself and left a trace of blood behind at a crime scene.
Police tracked down a serial burglar from a DNA test after the offender cut himself and left a trace of blood behind at a crime scene.

Sheldon smashed a window at the vet’s and stole charity boxes and other items, according to Mr Coxon, and he caused £250 of damage at Plantology after smashing a door panel but nothing was stolen.

Police arrested Sheldon the following day after he had appeared to be under the influence of something and he was linked to the burglary at Plantology.

Sheldon, who has previous convictions including 19 for non-dwelling burglaries, pleaded guilty to the two burglaries.

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Francis Edusei, defending, said Sheldon had been self-medicating with diazepam bought on the streets.

He added: “This is a man whose issues stem from the abuse of illicit substances.”

Mr Edusei said Sheldon had become law-abiding and was receiving support until the difficulties during the lockdown.

Judge Graham Reeds QC confirmed Sheldon cut himself during the first burglary and left a trace of DNA.

He sentenced Sheldon to ten-months of custody.