Blood left inside a burgled Whanganui home led police to the culprit.
Elijah Mehera Haddon pleaded guilty to burglary when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.
Police prosecutor sergeant Drew Morrison said that on October 27 Haddon broke into a property on London St in Whanganui.
"He smashed a window to get in and cut his leg in the process, leaving blood marks inside the property."
He stole numerous items including a Samsung tablet and jewelry.
Police took a DNA sample of the blood left on the floor and matched it to Haddon.
Mr Morrison said Haddon told police he was drunk and it was a stupid mistake.
Judge Dugald Matheson convicted Haddon and remanded him in custody for sentencing on December 20.
"All options are on the table," the judge told Haddon.