A BURGLAR who raided a property in Poole attempted to cover his tracks with bleach.

Heavily-convicted Barry Hughes, of South Haven Close, Poole, broke into a detached home in Dorchester Road, Upton sometime between February 17 and 21 this year.

After unsuccessfully attempting to force open a window, he picked up a rock and smashed the pane.

He then made an "untidy search" of the property and stole jewellery and electronics.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Hughes, 42, is already serving a prison sentence for a burglary committed in Symes Road, Hamworthy shortly before the Upton offence.

Ellie Fargin, prosecuting a sentencing hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court, said: "The owner of the property in Dorchester Road works away from home.

"He had a friend check the property and the burglary was discovered."

It is the second time a burglar has targeted the address, the court heard.

"[Hughes] attempted to force open a kitchen window, and when he failed, used a rock to smash the window," Ms Fargin said.

"He carried out an untidy search. Crime scene investigators found bleach had been used near the point of entry and in the kitchen area nearby to try and eradicate any DNA.

"However, they were able to ascertain there was blood residue left on a bedspread in a bedroom. A swab was taken and it matched the defendant."

In a victim impact statement read aloud to the court, the homeowner said he is "proud" of his property and has spent time and money refurbishing it.

Due to the two burglaries, he is considering moving away from the area and feels "perpetually vulnerable", it was heard.

Hughes was unable to enter a plea to the Upton matter when he was sentenced for the Hamworthy burglary on May 11 because he was unrepresented due to the barristers' strike.

The defendant, who has 42 convictions for 84 offences and is a third-strike burglar. later admitted the most recent burglary, and on Friday was sentenced to two years in prison, which he will serve concurrently to his existing two year and four month sentence.

Timothy Bradbury, mitigating, said the crime was "unsophisticated".