A callous ram-raid burglar who forced newsagents of almost 40 years into retirement ‘sacked’ his lawyer – then was jailed for four years.

Scott Barham's sentencing hearing at Canterbury Crown Court also heard how his five-week crime spree left a man's marriage plans in tatters.

One victim has been unable to travel to his native Afghanistan to wed his fiancee after his identity documents were stolen, while the owners of St Stephens News in the city - Anne and Richard Manuel - were pushed into early retirement.

Another homeowner was left so scared after being woken during an attempted burglary by Barham at their rural property that they spend their nights watching newly-installed security cameras.

But, having decided to "sack" his lawyer and represent himself in court, all the heartless crook could offer in mitigation was a "hollow" apology while blaming his brother for getting him "bang on the crack".

The 38-year-old, who has never worked and has a criminal record dating back 21 years with 18 previous convictions for 45 offences, targeted his first victims in the early hours of October 7 last year.

The occupants, including a child, were asleep at the property in Brunswick Field in Conyer, near Sittingbourne, when they and their dog were woken by the sound of a breaking window.

Prosecutor Caroline Knight said the family looked out to see a car being driven away without lights, and Barham's blood was later found on the window.

Three weeks later on October 28, Barham and two accomplices were driving a stolen Citroen DS3 on false plates when they smashed it into the front window of the newsagent store in St Stephen's Road to nab cash and tobacco worth £7,000.

Ms Knight told the court the ram-raid caused significant damage and financial loss to the business, with the owners believing not only had they been specifically targeted as the thieves "clearly knew where to find what they were looking for".

Barham was identified from CCTV footage but just over two weeks later on November 14 he had smashed his way into a multiple occupancy property in Harcourt Drive, Canterbury.

Having removed an exterior door panel he kicked open a locked room and stole a wallet, keys, bank card, just over £900 in various currencies and the identity documents.

By the time the resident had returned home to find his belongings ransacked, Barham had already used the card to purchase goods worth about £120 from a nearby shop.

The victim later told police the theft of his important personal documents had "completely derailed" his plans to marry his partner back in Afghanistan.

Reading from his statement, Ms Knight said he had been unable to replace them, his girlfriend could not leave their native country and he cannot travel there on a British passport "for fear of being kidnapped or killed by the Taliban".

"I have been living in the UK since I was 12 years old and feel this is my home," he told police. "This is the first time in 18 years that I have felt unsafe and my personal space completely violated.

"They have robbed me of the chance of happiness with the person I love."

Newsagents Mr and Mrs Manuel were left equally "upset and in disbelief" by the ram-raid and sadly told Kent Online at the weekend that they have now sold their business.

The court also heard about the impact on the victim of the attempted break-in. Ms Knight told the court: "She feels extremely anxious and every time she hears a noise she wonders if someone is trying to get in.

"CCTV cameras have been installed and she sits at night watching the cameras. She says 'It's an awful feeling not being able to sleep in your own home.'."

Following his arrest in November, Barham, of Beckett Avenue, Canterbury, gave a "no comment" interview but later pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary, one of attempted burglary, fraud by false representation and allowing himself to be carried in a stolen vehicle.

With him appearing for sentence via prison video link, the court was told despite his relationship with his solicitor "breaking down", he was happy to learn his fate without legal representation.

Asked by the judge what was the reason for his "unenviable criminal record", he blamed his addiction to heroin and, more recently, crack cocaine, adding that his sibling had introduced him to the latter following his release from prison in 2022.

Barham also confirmed he had never sought help for his habit either in his community or custody, and had neither worked nor trained in any skills.

To his latest victims, he simply said: "All I can say is I'm very, very sorry."

But on jailing him for four years, Recorder Sarah Counsell rejected his apology and said she hoped the prison sentence would provide "some comfort" for them.

She told Barham: "You say that you are sorry. That rings, I'm afraid, very hollow. You have had a devastating impact on those you have offended against."

Barham, who previously made headlines in 2013 when he dim-wittedly used his prison licence and bail notice for ID purposes to pawn a stolen camcorder, was also banned from driving for five years.