A SERIAL burglar came a cropper when he left behind a sock during a raid on an Oldbury house, a court heard.

Wayne Porter made off with goods worth more than £5,000 after breaking into the property in Florence Road.

Howard Searle, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court the haul taken by the 29-year-old included a £2,500 silver watch which was of sentimental value.

Porter was identified as the culprit from DNA on the sock which he had used to cover his hands while he searched the semi-detached house to avoid leaving fingerprints, but left it behind at the scene.

He also broke into houses in Dudley, Wordsley and Kings Heath, stealing items including First World War medals, a television and jewellery.

Porter, of Hagley Road, Birmingham, was jailed for four years after admitting four charges of burglary - all committed within days of his release from his last prison sentence, imposed for burgling commercial premises.

Geraldine Toal, defending, said Porter carried out the crimes to fuel his drug addiction.