Smoking is bad for you, a burglar found.
For it was DNA on a discarded cigarette that led police to Brennan Hartrey.
And it transpired he had not only stolen property from the premises, but tried to use a fake prescription to get drugs.
READ MORE: Bristol swindlers jailed
The 52-year-old, of Stonebridge Park in Eastville, pleaded guilty to burglary and fraud in August.
Today, Tuesday, November 16, Judge Paul Cook jailed him for 876 days.
He told Hartrey: "Burglary causes untold stress to homeowners because they find the sanctity of their homes has been invaded."
Caitlin Evans, prosecuting, said occupants of a flat in Fishponds Road returned to find the door kicked in and their home in disarray.
Several items had been stolen including a Nintendo Switch, TV, wedding ring, laptop and Amazon fire stick.
Miss Evans said: "A cigarette was left in the living room and DNA was recovered which matched Mr Hartrey.
She said that three days later Hartrey went to the Morrisons pharmacy in Fishponds Road and tried to get drugs, without success.
Police who searched his home found an item stolen in the burglary.
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Hartrey made no comment when interviewed, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The judge was told Hartrey had eight previous convictions for burglary - three in the last five years - and was a "three strike" burglar liable for a minimum three year sentence.
Mandla Ndlovu, defending, said his client had made good progress working with Bristol Drugs Project but relapsed into drugs on his mum's admittance to palliative care.
Mr Ndlovu said: "He was angry, he lashed out and took pills and other drugs.
"He doesn't remember his actions through a haze of grief and drugs.
"He does deeply regret his actions."
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