Justice bites back after peach snack lands burglar in jail over raid on Northumberland home

Now Arran Burton is behind bars after Northumbria Police’s forensic officers and detectives managed to match his DNA to the burglary scene in Ashington.

The 27-year-old broke into the house on October 9, last year.

Once inside, the hungry thief grabbed a peach from the homeowner’s fruit bowl before leaving it half-eaten at the scene of his crime.

The bumbling burglar also helped himself to sweets and chocolate before fleeing the house.

Police called to investigate carried out a search for evidence, with officers quickly discovering the partially-eaten peach.

They then alerted their colleagues in the force’s forensics team, who were able to get a DNA match for Burton and link him to the incident.

He soon found himself in handcuffs and was subsequently charged with burglary – later pleading guilty to the offence before a court.

Burton, of Castle Terrace in Ashington, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court this week for sentencing, where he was handed 876 days in prison and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £181 by the court.

Detective Sergeant Dave Boon, from one of Northumbria Police’s burglary teams, has praised the forensics specialists for their excellent work which led to the arrest.

“The DNA work by the forensics team on this case has been fantastic,” Det Sgt Boon said.

“Their meticulous efforts have helped convict a burglar and made the local community safer.

“Their fruitful endeavours mean Arran Burton will now have plenty of time on his hands to think about his actions.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.