Burglar who fled Jesmond home in stolen Audi caught out by DNA on airbag – Chronicle Live

A burglar who snuck into a student home is now behind bars after his DNA was discovered on the airbag of a stolen Audi.

On May 10 last year, Gary Hearn targeted a student property on Ashleigh Grove in Jesmond, Newcastle, stealing a range of items including a laptop, decks, a Bose speaker and a sports bag.

He then fled the scene at around 8.30pm in an Audi A4 belonging to one of the students.

Later that night, as he was driving around in the stolen car, the 35-year-old crashed into a taxi on Grasmere Avenue, in Walker. But despite causing considerable damage to the Ford Tourneo, Hearn once again fled the scene.

In the meantime, the student had returned home to find his front door ajar and reported the burglary, with an investigation launched by officers.

It wasnt long before detectives located the stolen Audi which had been abandoned on Parsons Avenue, in Walker. The forces Scientific Support Unit carried out forensic tests on the airbag which came back as a match to Hearn.

Hearn, of Oban Gardens, Byker, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on March 16 where he pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

He was sentenced to 35 months - almost three years - behind bars.

Detective Sergeant David Lumsden, of Northumbria Police, said: Hearn has shown himself to be nothing more than an opportunistic thief he showed a blatant disregard for the law and for other peoples possessions.

Burglary is an intrusive crime that can have a lasting impact on those who fall victim to it, as well as the wider community as a whole. Thats why we will continue to work hard every day to ensure criminals like Hearn are caught and brought to justice.

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Burglar who fled Jesmond home in stolen Audi caught out by DNA on airbag - Chronicle Live