A serial burglar who was caught thanks to a family's pet monitor has been jailed.

Billy Treays, of Thistle Road, Gravesend, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court today to three years and nine months in prison.

It comes after the 20-year-old was unknowingly filmed by a pet monitoring camera while sitting down in the living room of a home on Farley Road in Gravesend in February, while putting stolen items into a bag.

It was one of five burglary offences Treays committed in the town between Friday, January 18 and Wednesday, February 20.

He pleaded guilty to all of the offences.

Treays broke into the house after smashing a kitchen window and left with power tools, a laptop, mobile phone and television.

During his first offence the Gravesend resident smashed a patio door in Artemis Close. No items were stolen from the property but his DNA was found on a pick axe handle that was discarded in the victim's back garden.

"He is a considerable danger to law abiding citizens and I have little doubt that if he was still on the streets he would continue to offend." - Detective Constable Jillian Stoneham

He also smashed his way into homes in Allens Mead and Pine Avenue between Saturday February 16 and Wednesday February 20 respectively, stealing jewellery and electrical equipment, but was recorded at the scene on CCTV.

Treays also targeted a home in Raphael Road, where he stole a watch. He was arrested at around 4pm the following day after officers found him in possession with the stolen watch.

Detective Constable Jillian Stoneham, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: "The level of damage Treays caused to enter the homes of innocent members of the public shows him to be a remorseless and menacing criminal.

"He is a considerable danger to law abiding citizens and I have little doubt that if he was still on the streets he would continue to offend.

"I am pleased that we have been able to secure justice for the victims of each of these burglaries."

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