A terrified pregnant woman jumped in fear from a flat roof at her Sturry home as a burglar smashed his way in.

The victim had been feeling ill and was resting home alone that afternoon when cash-strapped James Scamp struck.

The aftermath of the experience led to two days in hospital for the mum-to-be.

Scamp's own pregnant partner was in court to hear the description of his return to crime, triggered by unemployment and alcohol.

DNA testing of blood on a safe had led to the father-of-five's arrest.

Labourer Scamp, 36, of Forrester Close, Canterbury, admitted burglary from a home and being in breach of a suspended sentence.

Now Scamp has received a total sentence at Canterbury Crown Court of 16 months in prison: one year for the burglary and four months for breach of the suspended sentence, to run consecutively.

Judy King, prosecuting, said the woman had been resting on the sofa at 2pm on November 15 last year when she heard footsteps on the gravel outside.

She saw Scamp trying to open the locked French doors.

The victim had stayed out of view as he had walked to the kitchen door. She could see him through a glass panel and fled upstairs.

The woman heard banging and smashing glass, so climbed onto a flat roof and jumped across to a neighbour's home where she called the police and her husband.

A small safe had been opened, property scattered and the kitchen door damaged. Blood on the safe led to Scamp's identification.

He had been in breach of a suspended sentence imposed for burglary at an unoccupied student house in March 2010.

Two televisions, a laptop, hair straighteners and a duvet had been taken. A DNA match on Scamp's blood at the scene had again led to his arrest.

The prosecutor said the fact the woman had been at home when Scamp broke in was an aggravating factor.

Phil Rowley, defending, said Scamp's earlier years had been characterised by dependency on alcohol and drugs and an "unenviable record" of previous convictions.

He had "stayed out of trouble" from 2003-2010, found work and started a family.

Recession had led to him losing his job, financial difficulties and a return to alcohol, hitting a "low ebb". He had said he could "kick himself" for the intoxication linked to the November burglary.

Judge Heather Norton told Scamp the householder had been "vulnerable" and "terrified" by his action.

The offence was a category two burglary, aggravated because the woman had been in the property, she added.