How 39p energy drink snared Sunderland burglar after he broke into home as family slept

A burglar was caught by police after swiping a 39p can of energy drink from the fridge of his victims as they slept – then leaving it behind at the scene of the crime.
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Lee Cowell broke into a house in The Leazes, in Millfield in Sunderland, in the early hours of New Year’s Eve as a woman and her children were upstairs.

After hearing banging from the kitchen, the mum went downstairs to find her laptop had been stolen – before spotting a hooded man fleeing over her garden wall.

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But Cowell forgot to take the 39p berry-flavoured drink he had stolen from the fridge with him.

Images released by Northumbria Police of burglar Lee Cowell and the drink can which led detectives to track him down after the break-in at a house in The Leazes in Sunderland. Street image copyright Google.Images released by Northumbria Police of burglar Lee Cowell and the drink can which led detectives to track him down after the break-in at a house in The Leazes in Sunderland. Street image copyright Google.
Images released by Northumbria Police of burglar Lee Cowell and the drink can which led detectives to track him down after the break-in at a house in The Leazes in Sunderland. Street image copyright Google.

Northumbria Police’s Scientific Support Unit matched the can to Cowell, of Collingwood Court, Washington.

The 37-year-old admitted burglary at Newcastle Crown Court and was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years, and a night-time curfew.

In a statement to court, Cowell’s victim stressed the potential long-term impact his actions will have on her, adding: “I do not understand why someone would target my house.”

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Detective Constable Louise Edwards said Cowell was an ‘opportunistic burglar’ adding: “This kind of behaviour is absolutely appalling – your home is meant to be a safe haven, but he flouted the law and helped himself to somebody else’s belongings for purely selfish gains.

“After waking the victim, Cowell tried to make a quick getaway – but his haste proved costly after he left an energy drink that he had stolen on the kitchen bench.

"That allowed our fantastic forensic experts to prove his guilt and ensure he had his day in court.

“Burglary is an incredibly intrusive crime and we have a dedicated team of detectives based at Southwick Police Station who are tasked with reviewing every raid across Sunderland and South Tyneside, identifying offenders and bringing them to justice.

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“We will continue to do all we can to convict burglars and thieves.

"In return, we would ask the public to always remember to lock your doors and windows and keep valuables out of sight.

“It may only take a moment, but might be the difference in thwarting opportunistic burglars who go door-to-door looking for an easy win.”

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