AN ex-convict burgled a Woodford Green house, stealing jewellery worth over £35,000 on the day he was released from prison.

But the robber, who went on an all day drinking binge with friends to celebrate his first day of freedom from Chelmsford prison, left a trail of blood which eventually led police to him.

Leslie Curran, 29, was jailed for three years last Wednesday by Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The court heard that Curran cut himself while smashing a window to break into the house in Roding Lane North on June 22, 2001.

Bleeding all the way from the conservatory to the bedroom, where he pocketed the gems worth £35,680, police were able to track the felon down by DNA profiling and arrested him this February.

The ex-convict, from Maldon in Essex who has now been caught and jailed three times for breaking into people's homes, pleaded mitigating circumstances.

Defence barrister, Helen Valley, told the court: "He particularly regrets that he finds himself in this court on another burglary charge.

"He has been the victim of three burglaries himself, including one just before Christmas when all of his children's toys were stolen."

Passing sentence on Curran, who is already in prison for a separate robbery offence, Judge William Kennedy told him he had "struck at the roots" of security in society.

He said: "On the very day you were released from imprisonment, you participated in another burglary.

"A large number of items were stolen with considerable monetary as well as sentimental value and not one item has ever been recovered.

"But this is the third time you have been convicted of burglary and only an immediate custodial sentence will suffice."

Curran showed no emotion as he was led back to the cells.

July 11, 2002 10:30