A burglar who armed himself with a fake gun to target a business in Wembley is behind bar thanks to DNA evidence.

Shamail Nixon, from Harrow, was snared after a gym bag he dropped while being chased by staff was found to have a positive match to his profile.

Harrow Crown Court heard the 25-year-old forced the door of the business in Ealing Road before fleeing empty handed when his actions set off the security alarm in May this year.

He was pursued by workers who found his bag containing a fake firearm and a variety of clothing.

Forensic test on the items identified Nixon as the suspect and he was arrested and s charged with aggravated burglary in June.

Last week he was jailed for four-and-a-half years.

PC Martina English, from Brent Police, said: “The apprehension of Nixon demonstrates to the public how vital modern methods of detection, such as CCTV and DNA profiling, are to us in our fight against crime.

“Let this be a message to would-be criminals that if you commit a crime the odds of you being caught are decreasing day-by-day.”