A PROLIFIC burglar who tried to claim he was being "stitched up" after his blood was found at several crime scenes has been convicted by a jury.

During a six day trial at Bolton Crown Court Heath Griffiths, aged 49, of Duxbury Avenue, Little Lever, defended himself, alleging police and witnesses were lying and he had been let down by his own defence team, whom he subsequently sacked.

Sitting in the dock, Griffiths shook his head as the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on eight counts of burglary after just 90 minutes of deliberation.

During the trial the jury had been told how Griffiths, who has an extensive criminal record, broke into six homes, a garage and a pizza shop between October last year and January.

But Griffiths left blood evidence at premises he burgled in Bamburgh Close, Radcliffe, Pizza Planet in Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe and a garage at Ascot Road, Little Lever.

He also targeted a homes in Red Lane and Withins Lane, Breightmet, a house in Angle Street, Tonge Moor and a flat at St Augustine's Court.

Griffiths' fingerprints were found on several stolen items in a bag which he had dropped near the flat.

He was finally caught on January 5 after being confronted by a woman who found him inside her house on Pegamoid Street.

She initially believed his claims that he was hiding after being beaten up, but then discovered her driving licence was missing.

He was arrested in a garden in the same street, with police finding he was equipped with a large screw driver and a chisel.

Griffiths was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Thursday.