A thief who broke into a cricket pavilion and stole two TVs worth about £700 has been jailed for 16 months.

Sam Stockford, 28, above, of Brenda Terrace, Manor Road, Swanscombe, admitted the break-in at Dartford Cricket Club in Pilgrims Way on May 10.

The club manager heard the alarm and saw him in the pavilion, Judge Charles Macdonald QC said at Maidstone Crown Court.

Adrian Rohard, defending, said Stockford had suffered life-threatening wounds after being stabbed in an unprovoked attack and was in hospital for several weeks.

“He has a skin condition due to complications with his kidneys. That has caused him to reflect deeply on his life,” he said.

“He is working and providing for his family. To send him to prison would have significant collateral damage on the family.

But the judge said Stockford had already served a 15-month sentence for burglary.

The latest offence was aggravated by drunkenness. Stockford had just avoided being a “three-striker” facing a minimum of three years jail.