A bungling burglar has been dubbed a "one-man Canterbury crime wave" after carrying out eight break-ins, including three in one night.

John Edwards also raided one of the properties three times swiping computers, cash and a bottle of Champagne.

But he left his DNA on a pink glove, a balaclava, an LED torch and in the kitchen at the properties in Castle Street after climbing in through a window.

The 55-year-old made an impassioned plea from the dock at Canterbury Crown Court that the crime spree took place because he was homeless.

But the judge reminded him he had a criminal record with more than 100 offences and the burglaries were carried out when he was subject to a suspended sentence.

Now Edwards has been jailed for four years after admitting the burglaries at Finns Estate Agents, Hays Accountants, and Caxtons Commercial in Castle Street in July.

Later the thief, of Forrester Close, Canterbury, broke into Jackson-Stop and Staff Estate Agents three times in Castle Street before striking at Kreston Reeves in St Margarets Street and Finns Estate Agents again in August.

Kate Hunter, defending, told the judge: “There is no justification for his criminal activity and he feels ashamed and disgusted that people had to return to work and discovered what he had done.”

But as Recorder Stephen Davies was passing sentence, Edwards told how his relationship with a partner had broken down and he lost his job at an Oyster Farm in Herne Bay before being turned out into the street.

He said he had been attacked and had to live in a tent which was burned down and he received no help in finding accommodation.

Edwards said: “I didn’t know what to do...I didn’t know what to do.”

But the judge said at the time he was arrested by police he was living in property – which Edwards claimed had been paid for by the proceeds of the stolen computers and equipment.

The judge retorted: “You have an appalling criminal record and you are a professional criminal. In fact, you are a one-man Canterbury crime wave.”

Edwards was jailed for three years for the burglaries and the judge added a year from the suspended sentence, making four years in total.