Sunderland car thief tracked down through DNA after tiny spot of blood was found on crashed Micra's air bag

A thief who smashed a stolen car into a lamppost moments after burgling a family home has been jailed thanks to a tiny speck of his blood found on its air bag.
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“Serial criminal” David Hawkes sneaked into a house on Howarth Street, Millfield, in the early hours of Tuesday, January 7, while the householders were asleep.

He took the keys to a Nissan Micra and drove off – but crashed it a mile away on Tudor Grove, which runs between the A690 Durham Road and Premier Road, and ran off.

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Northumbria Police's forensic officers were able to link David Hawkes to the break-in of a Sunderland home and the theft of a Nissan Micra after his blood was found on its air bag.Northumbria Police's forensic officers were able to link David Hawkes to the break-in of a Sunderland home and the theft of a Nissan Micra after his blood was found on its air bag.
Northumbria Police's forensic officers were able to link David Hawkes to the break-in of a Sunderland home and the theft of a Nissan Micra after his blood was found on its air bag.
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The force of the collision resulted in the air bag to inflate and officers asked forensic experts to checks inside the mangled vehicle.

The Northumbria Police’s Scientific Support Unit spotted a tiny drop of blood, which came back as a forensic match to Hawkes.

The 39-year-old initially claimed he was a passenger and not responsible for the burglary, but later admitted the raid when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in September.

Now, Hawkes, of Havelock Court, Ford Estate, has been jailed for 42 months.

A photo shared by Northumbria Police showing the aftermath of the collision.A photo shared by Northumbria Police showing the aftermath of the collision.
A photo shared by Northumbria Police showing the aftermath of the collision.
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Detective Constable Neil Swainston said: “David Hawkes is a serial criminal who has been a drain on police resources for some time.

"He has brought misery to families across Sunderland as a result of his selfish and widespread offending.

“Now he is behind bars and I am pleased that the severity of his crime has been recognised.

Police said David Hawkes was "a serial criminal who has been a drain on police resources for some time."Police said David Hawkes was "a serial criminal who has been a drain on police resources for some time."
Police said David Hawkes was "a serial criminal who has been a drain on police resources for some time."

"We make no apology for our strong commitment to bring burglars and thieves to justice.

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“He showed a total disregard for others when he snuck into a family home and stole their car.

"Before the victim had even realised what had happened, police had received a call from a member of the public saying a Nissan had crashed into a lamppost and the driver made off.

This was the scene after the Nissan Micra was crashed by David Hawkes.This was the scene after the Nissan Micra was crashed by David Hawkes.
This was the scene after the Nissan Micra was crashed by David Hawkes.

“That allowed our brilliant forensic experts to do what they do best, and this case once again highlights how the tiniest drop of blood, saliva, sweat or other bodily fluid can be detected and used to prove somebody’s guilt.

“I have no doubt that families across Sunderland can sleep easier knowing Hawkes has been taken off our streets.”

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Det Con Swainston is part of the Southern Burglary Team of detectives based at Southwick Police Station tasked with reviewing every break-in across Sunderland and South Tyneside.

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