A 20-year-old Oldbury burglar who left a fingerprint at the scene of a break-in at a flat has been sentenced to six months in a young offenders' institution.

Drug addict Ashley Howen got into a ground floor flat in Newbury House, Oldbury, and stole a selection of jewellery from the property.

His haul was valued at a total of £250.

Howen was caught after forensic experts called out to investigate the raid found evidence of his fingerpint on a window frame, said Helena Miller prosecuting.

Miss Miller told Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday May 2 that the burglary in question was not the first time Howen had been arrested by police for burglary.

Howen, of Wolverley Crescent, came clean and admitted carrying out the break-in.

He was warned if he committed any similar offences in the future he would be given a substantial prison sentence.

Jas Mann defending told the court Howen was a drug addict.

He said: "His life has been blighted by his drug addiction.

"It is a problem he is determined to resolve."

Mr Mann told the court Howen was working hard to put his act in order and get back onto the straight and narrow.

He said: "There is some light at the end of the tunnel."