A PROLIFIC burglar has been dealt a four year prison sentence for stealing from a pensioner.

Mark Vale, 39, and homeless, pleaded guilty to burgling a house in Nightingale Lane, Bromley in June.

The 76 year-old owner returned home to find his kitchen window had been forced and expensive jewellery had been stolen.

Vale took items to the value of £900 before denying that he even knew where the house was when questioned by police.

His house at the time was just 150 yards away from the address in Nightingale Lane.

DNA found at the scene was linked back to Vale, who later admitted the offence at Croydon Crown Court on August 20.

Last week, Tuesday, December 11, Vale was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for burglary and another 490 days imprisonment for breaking the conditions of a previous sentence, also for burglary.

In total, Vale will serve four years and one month behind bars.

DCI Chris Smart, said: “Hopefully the significant prison sentence handed down to Vale, a habitual criminal, will serve as a warning to others. This type of offence will always attract the utmost priority in our policing efforts.”