A burglar, who stole cash and electrical equipment worth more than £3000 from a Chedgrave home, was caught out by a milk bottle he left behind, a court heard.

Solomon Tomkinson, 37, who was living in supported accommodation in the village at the time, was linked to the break-in after a milk bottle filled with water was found at the burglary scene by the owner.

Andrew Oliver, prosecuting at Norwich Crown Court, said when Tomkinson's room was searched he was found to have a stash of stolen electrical equipment, which included laptops and computer equipment taken in the burglary, Mr Oliver said that the cash taken, which included 300 Swiss francs, was never recovered.

Tomkinson, of Norwich Road, Chedgrave, admitted the burglary on May 28, this year, and was jailed for 16 months.

The court heard he had a number of previous convictions, including a conviction for robbery.

Jailing him, Judge Anthony Bate told him: 'You have a long and dispiriting record.'

Peter Spary, for Tomkinson, said he had mental health problems and a long-standing drug problem and thought no one was living in the property.

'He regrets his actions and can't remember much about it.'

He said that Tomkinson had since found God and said: 'He wants to turn his life around.'