One of the first things you learn as a criminal defense lawyer entering your learning years is to give counsel to the newly arrested. Depending on the jurisdiction there are rules about what should be said or not said to and by the police. As any rounder knows and as TV has taught us the rest of us, there is a reason for the wiping down of door handles or why David Niven always wore gloves when stealing diamonds.

And there is the not so old chestnut about not talking a drink or smoke so as not to leave your DNA laying around on the glass or butt. Some, however, do their best well before arrest to chuck any reason to get such the benefit of such advice later on:

A burglar with a drinking problem left a clue on a drinks can when he raided a local house, a court has heard. Nicholas Lyon, 25, of Pentre Halkyn, near Mold took a swig from the beer can and left it on a television as he stole a hifi and speakers from his victim. A DNA test confirmed it was his saliva on the can but when arrested Lyon denied being involved, the court heard. Lyon, who initially pleaded not guilty to burglary but changed his plea to guilty, was jailed for 20 months.