A blundering burglar put his foot in it by leaving behind a dirty sock at the scene of his latest crime.
Karl Hogg smashed his way in through the roof of a social club in the early hours, causing a large amount of damage as he ransacked the place and stole thousands of pounds from gaming machines.
But the serial thief made a big mistake when he left behind a sock on the roof, which was covered in his DNA.
Now the 31-year-old, who has made a habit of targeting social clubs in break-ins, has been sent to prison at Newcastle Crown Court.
Prosecutor Michael Bunch said the stewardess at the Dubmire Royal British Legion Social Club, in Houghton-le-Spring, found the premises had been "totally trashed" on August 15.
There was damage to the roof, ceiling, electrics, woodwork and a gaming system, totalling more than £2,300 and £3,760 had been stolen from two gaming machines and spirits had also been taken.
Mr Bunch said: "There was an internal recording of events and the defendant was identified from that.
"In addition, a sock recovered from the roof was found and DNA matching the defendant was obtained from that sock."
The court heard Hogg has a number of previous convictions for burgling social clubs.
Mr Bunch said: "It's his favourite type of premises to target because he knows there will be high value items present."
In a victim impact statement, the social club’s stewardess revealed the damage to the premises and value of items stolen came to a total of more than £6,000.
“The burglary and in particular the theft of charity amounts is sickening,” she said.
“The crime has upset our members and caused our staff an inconvenience. This is a family club and I’m sick that we have been targeted in such a way.”
Hogg, of Baker Street, Houghton-le-Spring, who has 48 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for 20 months.
Penny Hall, defending, said Hogg had relapsed into cocaine misuse at the time, which had left him with significant debts.
She told the court: "He was being threatened as a result of that debt being owed.
"He was concerned for the safety of his child by threats to for example, smash his windows."
