A man has been jailed after eating a microwave meal and leaving his fingerprints on an empty beer bottle at a house he burgled, which led police to find him.

Craig Seni, 33, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court on yesterday after he had pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary.

On Wednesday, September 7, a woman returned to her home in Churchill Close, Folkestone after some days away, to find it had been burgled.

Damage had been caused to the door and a laptop computer, jewellery and a Staffordshire jug had been taken.

There was also evidence that the burglar had eaten a microwave meal, leaving the package behind and had also drunk a number of bottles of beer during his prowling.

Forensic testing on one of the bottles later confirmed Seni as the burglar and he was arrested on Tuesday, October 18.

Seni told police he had also carried out a burglary at a house in Keys Place, Folkestone, on Thursday, October 13 and the victim woke in the night to find him standing in her room.

He had already let himself into the house earlier and taken a purse containing a contactless bank card from a handbag, which he had used to buy tobacco and alcohol.

CCTV confirmed Seni had visited two shops to buy items with the stolen card.

He had returned to the house to see if there were other items he could steal, and did not think anyone was home when he stumbled upon the sleeping victim.

In court he also admitted a further two burglaries and two charges of fraud, these matters were taken into consideration by the judge during sentencing.

Det Sgt Matthew Smith said: "Seni was an opportunist burglar, stealing items he thought would make him money.

'Seni was an opportunist burglar, stealing items he thought would make him money.' - Det Sgt Matthew Smith

"He even bought items using the stolen bank card were sold on to make money.

"However it was this behaviour which meant he grabbed the opportunity to have a beer while burgling, which led ultimately to his downfall.

"Tests on the bottle revealed his DNA present and he was brought to face justice.

"The impact of Seni’s actions on his victims should not be understated and I hope his conviction brings them reassurance. Being a victim of burglary, regardless of what is stolen, can cause people to feel anxious, traumatised and unsettled in their own homes."