Bloody Clue Identifies The Culprit

Newcastle Herald

Thursday August 26, 2004

GR

POLICE used DNA from a small splatter of blood to catch a man who broke into a Rutherford building two years ago and allegedly stole property worth $160,000, Newcastle Court was told yesterday.

John Arthur Woolhouse, unemployed, of Darby Street, Newcastle, accidentally left his DNA calling card for police near a smashed window.

The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking, entering and stealing at H and M Engineering on March 12, 2002.

When questioned in March this year, Woolhouse said he had gone alone to the premises in a car and climbed inside through a window.

He told police he had been told that the phone lines and alarms would already be cut.

Woolhouse was charged with stealing tools, liquor, laptop computers and digital cameras worth $160,000.

He is disputing the amount, saying that he stole only liquor and swapped it for speed.

Senior Constable Simon Thomas said in a statement that people had entered the premises by smashing a ground floor window.

Forensic police found blood on glass at the point of entry.

The DNA from this blood matched Woolhouse's.

Magistrate Michael Morahan committed him to Newcastle District Court for sentence on the charge and remanded him in custody.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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