A BROMSGROVE burglar was tracked down after he left a blood-stained handkerchief on the stairs of the house he raided.

Lee Taylor immediately admitted that he had broken into the home in Stoke Road, Bromsgrove, and stolen items worth £3,000, said prosecutor Paul Whitfield.

Among the items taken were jewellery, a laptop and an ipad, Worcester Crown Court was told.

The three-story Aston Fields property had been ransacked during the absence of the owners and all rooms searched.

Taylor, aged 36, of Worcester Road, pleaded guilty to burglary and also to stealing crockery worth £9.90 from a store.

He was said to have 21 convictions in 34 previous court appearances. Several offences were for drugs.

Andrew Davidson, in mitigation, pointed out Taylor had no convictions for the past six years. He had managed to break his heroin habit and had recently qualified as a fork lift truck driver, and was hoping to get a job.

Judge Richard Rundell said the burglary was a major step-up from previous shoplifting but he was prepared to give Taylor a last chance.

The 15-month jail sentence was suspended for two years and there would be supervision by the probation service for a similar period. Taylor must also take part in a specified activity course.