Forensic analysis of discarded screwdriver secures prison sentence for Doncaster burglar

A Doncaster burglar who was rumbled following forensic analysis of a discarded screwdriver has been jailed.

Nathan Peacock ransacked a property in Finningley, stealing keys, cash and jewellery worth thousands of pounds.

Officers from our dedicated Operation Castle team began investigating and when a screwdriver was recovered this was forensically examined resulting in a DNA match with Peacock.

The 26-year-old also stole a Mercedes from an address in Fishlake, with Peacock caught out after forensic analysis of the steering wheel provided another DNA match.

Peacock, of Palm Avenue, Armthorpe, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court last Wednesday (10 June) after pleading guilty to burglary, driving while disqualified and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.

His sentencing comes after other Doncaster burglars, including Connor Glen, Bradley Stevenson and Paddy Rooney, were jailed following investigations by the Op Castle team.

Their efforts have seen rates of residential burglary in the city fall to a five-year low with the team investigating patterns of offending and often linking it to serial offenders.

PC Sammy Thorpe, who was the officer in charge of this case, said:

"We see first-hand the devastating impact of residential burglaries and that is what drives us to secure justice on behalf of victims in Doncaster.

"It's an invasion of your privacy to have your home broken into and Peacock showed absolutely no regard for his victim when he rummaged through a person's home before stealing thousands of pounds worth of precious possessions.

"Peacock is now behind bars and I hope this sends a clear message to anyone engaging in this type of criminality that we will find you and we will strive to put you before the courts so you can answer for your actions."

Peacock was also banned from holding a licence for six years and three months.

If you have been a victim of residential burglary, please know that we are here to support you and investigate on your behalf in order to bring offenders to justice.    

You can report burglaries to us on the non-emergency 101 number or via our website. If a crime is in progress, always call 999.