A wannabe burglar was caught brown-footed after police discovered his shoe print covered in dog faeces at the scene of an attempted theft.
Brian Harold, 20, targeted residential areas in Carlisle with an elderly accomplice in a series of crimes under the cover of darkness.
His dog feces-covered footprint on a windowsill led police to match the shoes Harold was wearing the night he committed his crimes.
At Carlisle Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty to the attempted burglary of a family home in the Belle Vue area.
Harold also admitted three counts of theft and three charges of vehicle interference and was given an 18-month community order.
On the morning of August 27, a couple woke up to find the door to their shed open, the court heard.
The man and woman also saw a lawn chair under their windowsill.
Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson added: ‘She also noticed a quantity of dog faeces around the outside of the property.
Brian Harold, 20, admitted a string of crimes including attempted burglary, two thefts from motor vehicles, another theft and three counts of vehicle interference
He was sentenced to an 18-month community order at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court (pictured)
‘On the windowsill there was a footprint in the dog’s feces, which the police then examined and discovered matched the shoes Mr. Harold was wearing.’
Harold and his accomplice ended up at other locations that same night.
They stole tools from a van and were involved in the theft of a wooden wishing well, which was dumped on another residential road.
Mr Rogerson said: ‘This was essentially an attack of insult.’
His lawyer Marion Weir said Harold, then 19, was “easily influenced” by his colleagues.
She told the court he was remorseful, had addressed his substance abuse and wanted to stay out of trouble.
As punishment, Harold must complete 150 hours of community service, rehabilitation work and a construction elective course.