A thug who injured a woman in her 80s while burgling her home has been jailed.

Kyle Thatcher knocked his victim to the ground during the last of a string of burglaries in the Dover area.

The 30-year-old broke into three homes in Staple and River in the space of less than two weeks but was tracked down after leaving DNA evidence of his crimes.

Thatcher's first burglary took place at a house in Staple during the late morning of Thursday, April 7.

The owners returned to find a smashed window, emptied jewellery boxes and noticed that a duvet was missing from one of the beds.

It was found the following day in woodland in Chalkpit Lane by a dog walker, who reported it to police because the duvet was blood-stained.

Officers attended and searched the area, also finding discarded items from the burglary. Tests on the duvet confirmed that it was covered in Thatcher’s DNA.

Just over a week later, on Friday April 15, a River resident returned to her home in London Road to find doors forced open and the rooms left in a mess. Jewellery, designer clothing and cash had been taken.

On the following Wednesday, a pensioner caught Thatcher rummaging through her bedroom.

When she challenged him, he shoved her to the ground and fled the scene with her belongings, leaving her with head injuries.

Just a week later on April 27, however, Thatcher was tracked down and arrested by the Chief Constable's Crime Squad, whereupon his phone was seized where his mobile date placed him in the area of the crimes.

"He had no other option but to admit it in court"

Thatcher, of Folkestone Road in Dover, was charged with the three burglaries and jailed for 32 months after he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday May 30, and admitted the offences.

Detective Sergeant Jay Robinson of the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad said: ‘"Burglary is an invasive and unsettling crime. Regardless of what has been stolen, victims still have to deal with the prospect that someone unknown and unwanted has been in their home.

"In this case Kyle Thatcher left three households having to come to terms with that violation of privacy and it can take time to recover from that.

"Fortunately Thatcher’s reckless approach to his offending left behind plenty of evidence against him, which meant he had no other option but to admit it in court.

"I wish all the best for the victims involved and thank them and those who helped with our enquiries, for their support in this case."