A YOUNG burglar’s carelessnesness proved his downfall after he stole a car from a driveway.

Leon Binns was caught when he left a woollen hat, which contained his DNA, in the rear of the stolen Honda Jazz car that he abandoned in Basingstoke.

The 21-year-old, of Belvedere Road, Leyton, Greater London, travelled to Basingstoke with a group of friends on the night of Sunday, January 27, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Nicholas Hall, prosecuting, said the gang broke into the house in Cedar Tree Close, Oakley, while John Thurston, the owner of Honda Jazz and Jaguar cars, and his family slept upstairs.

Mr Hall said: “They had no idea they were being burgled although the time of burglary can be placed at 3am because some neighbours around the corner were woken up by noise, and they looked up and saw two young men running across the street.”

The court heard the gang entered the house by breaking in through the front door, before stealing both cars.

Binns was a passenger in the Honda Jazz which was found in Basingstoke on Wednesday, January 30.

The Jaguar was later found in the West Country.

Mr Hall said Binns handed himself in to Leyton police station on Tuesday, February 12, after hearing he was wanted by the police.

Lisa Stewart, defending, said Binns was concerned that a prison sentence would affect his career chances as a plumber and his relationship with his three-year-old daughter.

She added he had no idea the burglary would take place when he got into the car.

Binns had pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and one count of theft at a previous hearing.

Judge Keith Cutler said: “People here in Hampshire have had enough of people coming up from London, up the M3, committing crimes, whether they be for dishonesty or drugs, and then going back to London afterwards.”

He gave Binns an 18-month community order, with a supervision requirement and 100 hours unpaid work.

Binns was also ordered to pay £523 in compensation to Mr Thurston.