DECLAN Williamson must have been nuts when he helped himself to a snack at the house he had just broken into.

The 19-year-old walked through the house in Cowley, Oxford, scooping mouthfuls of peanut butter out of a jar before leaving it in one of the bedrooms as he left with his haul.

But it led to his downfall when one of the residents handed the jar to police — who found traces of Williamson’s DNA on the dirty spoon inside.

Williamson was yesterday jailed for two years at Oxford Crown Court after admitting a string of burglaries and vehicle crimes between February 11 and 13 this year.

Jonathan Stone, prosecuting, said Williamson had also broken into homes and garages in Cowley, Horspath, Holton and Waterperry.

He stole a Rover from one of the houses before driving it off and crashing into a tree in Greater Leys. Among the other items Williamson, of Kingfisher Green, Greater Leys, stole were two chainsaws, air rifles, whisky, port, a television and cash.

He admitted five burglaries, aggravated vehicle-taking, driving while disqualified, drink-driving and having no insurance.

He also asked for four other offences of vehicle taking and attempted vehicle taking to be taken into consideration.

Jane Brady, defending, said: “These were not sophisticated offences. He left his DNA in a very obvious way.”

Judge Christopher Compston also banned him from driving for two years.