DNA technology has come back to haunt a man who broke into a couple’s first home in Sevenoaks.

Michael David Barnes was discovered in Snodland on Thursday, December 19 after breaking into a house in Sevenoaks four days earlier.

Barnes left trails of blood throughout the house after smashing his way through a kitchen window and DNA testing revealed his identity.

Despite knowing who to look for officers could not trace him as he was believed to homeless, until he was spotted.

While inside the property the 35-year-old stole chocolate, cash, a mobile phone and an mp3 player. They were carried away in a stolen pillow case.

The burglary took place while the home occupants were collecting a pet from a family member’s house.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday and was sentenced to four years.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Raj Dusanjh said: “The victims had been spending time moving into their first home together, and had just spent their first night there when Barnes struck.

“Burglary is a cruel crime but a combination of his carelessness at the scene, and an eagle-eyed officer out in Snodland meant that we have been able to secure a really positive prison sentence against him.”