A burglar who entered a woman's home was so short the householder thought he was a child. But when she snatched off his hat it revealed 46-year-old Jamie Edney, who made a run for it with £80.
Police called to the scene took the hat as evidence. And the forensic lab discovered his DNA and he was arrested.
Edney, 46, of Austen Court in Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to burglary in March. Judge Keith Cutler jailed him for 28 months.
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The judge told Edney: "You would have read the victim personal statement from the complainant. She felt sick to her stomach and angry that someone thinks it okay to walk into her home and take things. She took your cap and credit to her - it was a very mean offence."
David Scutt, prosecuting, said Edney entered the woman's flat in Martindale Court, Weston-super-Mare. He went into her bedroom and took £80 from a wallet.
Mr Scutt told Bristol Crown Court: "She saw him coming out and she thought he was a child. She tried to stop him and couldn't, but she took his hat and his DNA was found on it."
Edney was arrested and interviewed twice. Both times he made statements denying wrongdoing.
Emily Heggadon, defending, said a combination of bereavement and the work loss due to pandemic caused her client to relapse into drug use.
She said Edney was capable of turning his life around and wanted to continue working with offenders to assist them to do so. Miss Heggadon said: "He is a really engaging gentleman when you talk to him, his passion for supporting others is absolutely clear."
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