A "brazen" burglar who crept inside a house while people were inside has been jailed.

Caught red handed using stolen bank cards, Jason Barnes was spotted on Maidstone CCTV the day after the break in.

Barnes snuck into his victim's home in Upper Fant Road after finding the front door unlocked on February 18.

Once inside, the 45-year-old stole a handbag from the kitchen and fled the scene, leaving the door wide open.

He went straight to two nearby shops to buy alcohol and tobacco using the stolen bank cards.

Neighbours saw Barnes rummaging through the stolen handbag and challenged him.

When he ran off, the neighbours called police.

The following day, police officers examined CCTV footage, recognising Barnes, 45.

Officers went straight to his address in King Street, Maidstone, where he was arrested.

He was later charged with burglary and two counts of fraud.

Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court on March 20, Barnes pleaded guilty to all three charges and was sentenced to a total of two years, seven months and two weeks in prison.

Detective Sergeant Paul Raines said: "Burgling a house is a despicable crime, particularly when the occupants are present.

"Barnes had no concerns for the impact of his actions on the victims and thought only of his himself.

"He has shown himself to be a brazen criminal who should be jailed to protect the community."

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