A STROUD MAN who broke into a 71-year-old woman's home while she was sleeping was identified by the blood he left behind, a court heard.

John Munson, 36, of Cable Court, stole a tin of cakes, a coat and a bag containing a hat, gloves and scarf - total value £155 - from the property in Acre Street on October 2 this year, Gloucester Crown Court was told on Monday, December 23.

Munson pleaded guilty to the burglary and received an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Prosecutor Giles Nelson said Munson forced his way into the house while the elderly woman occupier was upstairs asleep.

He said: “The victim lives alone and at 8am she was woken up by a concerned neighbour who noticed that her front door was open and all the lights were on. When the lady walked into her kitchen she realised that she had been burgled.

“She found blood in the hallway and it was thanks to a DNA match with Munson that he was then arrested by police."

Munson said in interview that he was very drunk and thought it was his friend’s home.

Natalie Goffe, defending, said that Munson had recently become homeless and has an issue with his ongoing drug habit.

Judge Recorder Simon Levene said: “Your intrusion into the woman’s house while she sleeping has been very unsettling for her. She no longer feels her home as being as safe as houses.

"I accept you were vulnerable and mixing prescription drugs with alcohol but I feel a community order will be of more benefit to you in helping you not to offend in the future.”