A rocky road to ruin: Serial burglar, 36, who ate ice cream from the freezer of each of his victims is rumbled by his DNA smeared on a spoon
- As Paul Hayman scoffed away on a doorstep, he was captured on CCTV
- He was also seen looking through windows and even inside the house
- Four days later police were called to another burglary in the area
- Officers found two empty ice cream pots and a spoon bearing Hayman’s DNA
Cooling off during last summer’s heatwave, Paul Hayman helped himself to a refreshing ice cream.
But the serial burglar’s sweet tooth was to be his downfall.
As he scoffed away on his next victim’s doorstep, he was captured on CCTV.
Cooling off during last summer’s heatwave, Paul Hayman helped himself to a refreshing ice cream. He was seen in CCTV footage enjoying his treat
Four days later police were called to another burglary in the area, where Hayman’s trademark items – two empty ice cream pots and a spoon – were discovered, bearing his DNA
He was then seen – tub in hand – looking through windows, prowling the garden and even inside the house, where he finished off his treat.
Temperatures reached 30C (86F) on June 28 last year – the day that Hayman, of no fixed abode, was caught on CCTV.
Four days later police were called to another burglary in the area, where Hayman’s trademark items – two empty ice cream pots and a spoon – were discovered, bearing his DNA.
He was finally caught when officers responded to reports of another break-in, finding the 36-year-old nearby.
The footage shows the culprit keeping a look out as he takes a seat on the step outside the home and tucks into his ice-cream
He was jailed for 65 months at Luton Crown Court after he admitted four burglaries in Luton, Bedfordshire, last June and July, as well as a further two attempted burglaries.
Bedfordshire Police’s Facebook page was inundated with mocking comments after the conviction, as the public made puns about the thief.
Peter Saunders quipped: ‘Swapping ice cream for Porridge’, while Peter Gallagher joked: ‘If he misbehaves then it’s straight to the cooler’.
Dave Yardley posted: ‘I wonder how many crimes he’s committed – probably around 99.’
Along with his penchant for nabbing ice cream, Hayman was convicted of stealing bank cards, jewellery, and laptops.
Detective Constable Kevin Howes, of the force’s specialist Operation Maze burglary team, added: ‘Hayman was a repeat offender who stole thousands of pounds worth of property from innocent victims.’