A BURGLAR is facing the next few years in prison after his thirst landed him in trouble during a break-in.

David William Lightfoot, 29, appeared for sentence at Chester Crown Court in connection with a burglary to which he was linked after drinking from a soft drink can while at the house.

The court was told that Lightfoot, of Marston Gardens, Ellesmere Port, broke into the house on Brompton Way in Little Sutton on September 14 last year, while the elderly couple were asleep upstairs.

He stole the keys to their Vauxhall Corsa and escaped in the vehicle with items including jewellery, ornaments, electrical goods, a mobile phone, and DVDs, all totalling around £2,500. The theft was not discovered till the following morning, while the car was found near Chester.

Prosecutor Matthew Corbett-Jones told the court how while on the premises, Lightfoot had helped himself to food and drink, including a can of diet cola, which he had then thrown in the bin.

The householders discovered the can several days after the theft and informed the police.

Tests on the can found traces of Lightfoot's DNA.

He also appeared admitted breaking into a caravan in Great Sutton on July 6.

Judge Derek Halbert sentenced him to two years eight months, and ordered that he should also serve an additional 341 days, which

were remaining after he had been released from prison on licence following a previous offence.

A further two offences of attempted burglaries at pubs in Chester, at the Greyhound and the Wheatsheaf, on Parkgate Road, were taken into consideration.