A Leeds burglar spat on his victim as he fled the scene but it backfired when his DNA was used to identify him.
Robert Hemingbrough stole a mobile phone and a wallet as he was chased out of the house on Farnham Close, Redhall, Leeds.
The 46-year-old drug addict was confronted as he mounted a bicycle and spat on the man before riding off.
Prosecutor Heather Gilmore said the victim wiped his topless chest with a tissue which he gave to police and Hemingbrough's DNA was found on it.
Leeds Crown Court heard the 20-year-old victim looked out the living room window and saw the defendant cycling towards the house at 9.45pm on July 23 last year.
Ms Gilmore said the victim left the room and when he returned Hemingbrough was in the living room searching for items to steal.
He shouted at Hemingbrough who ran out of the house with his dad's mobile phone, which was worth £200, and a wallet containing his driving licence, a rail card, a house key, a cheque and his dad's bank card.
The victim chased after the defendant and put his hand on his shoulder as he got back on his bike.
Hemingbrough threatened to hit him, spat on his bare chest and rode off.
The victim wiped his chest with a tissue which he gave to police and Hemingbrough's DNA was found on it.
Hemingbrough was arrested on Christmas Day.
In a statement, the victim's dad, who had been upstairs during the burglary, said the family felt violated by Hemingbrough and even considered moving house after the incident.
He said his son regretted not doing more to apprehend the burglar but he made the safest choice.
He also said the family and their neighbours in the cul-de-sac now take extra security measures.
Hemingbrough, who appeared in court via video link from Leeds prison, pleaded guilty to burglary and assault by beating.
He has 32 previous convictions for 52 offences, including 37 dishonesty offences.
Robin Frieze, mitigating, said the burglary was an opportunistic offence committed when his client was desperate for money and found a door unlocked.
He said Hemingbrough is a drug addict who suffers from depression and anxiety.
Mr Frieze said the defendant managed to find stability in work and a relationship after being released from prison in 2014 but when the relationship broke down he became depressed again, lost his job and resumed taking drugs.
Hemingbrough, of Sandway, Cross Gates, was jailed for two years and eight months.
He was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order banning him from entering the cul-de-sac.
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