A burglar who targeted the same house three times in as many weeks was caught by police after he enjoyed a post-crime beer.
Adrian Chaladus, 29, forced entry into the empty property in Osborne Grove, Sherwood, on three separate occasions between April 16 and April 27.
His crimes were uncovered when a discarded can of beer was found in the kitchen and a collection of cigarette butts were discovered in the living room.
Nottinghamshire Police were able to identify Chaladus by finger prints left on the beer can.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, June 23 Chaladus, of Claythorpe Rise, Sherwood, was sentenced to 14 months in prison suspended for two years.
Detective Constable Natalia Montano, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This property was slowly being cleared by the children of the owner who had recently died. After noticing a number of missing items they asked the police to investigate – a task greatly assisted by the offender’s discarded beer can.
"This was an opportunistic series of burglaries and I am pleased that this offender has been brought to justice.”
