A prolific burglar who swiped war medals has been jailed after he was found sleeping next to one of the crime scenes surrounded by stolen goods.

Miroslav Jano from Dover was convicted in connection with a string of offences around the town.

The 34-year-old was arrested in April, when police attended a reported break-in at a flat in Durham Close and found him asleep in a communal area.

At this stage of the investigation, Jano was granted conditional bail, as officers continued to build a case to bring charges.

The investigation led to the recovery of forensic evidence, which linked Jano to a bag left behind at another burglary in Victoria Park.

Inside the bag included war medals stolen during further offences in Durham Close.

Officers also recovered CCTV images connecting him to a burglary in Flying Horse Lane and in May, he was arrested again.

Jano, of Folkestone Road, Dover, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and two of theft.

A further three offences were ordered by the court to lie on file.

He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court to three years’ imprisonment on October 26.

Det Con Martin Aird of Shepway CID said: "Burglary is a serious crime that significantly affects the victims, whether they suffer a break-in at their home or within a shed or a garage.

"Serial offenders such as Jano have little concept of the impact their actions have on those they target, who sometimes lose valuable and treasured possessions and who often end up footing the bill to pay for any damage caused.

"We remain absolutely determined to deter and arrest those who commit burglary crime, but it is also so important to remember that many of these offences are opportunistic and often preventable.

"Our message to residents and business owners alike is to remain vigilant.

"Always double lock doors and windows and deterrent devices like CCTV should be well-maintained, so they can capture as clear images as possible."