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A Maidstone burglar has been jailed after targetting seven homes in less than a week and leaving a trail of DNA evidence for officers to find.
Jordan Macdonald, 23, stole cash and valuables from properties in Hawkhurst, Lamberhurst and Mereworth in September.
On September 17, Macdonald swiped jewellery from a house in Mereworth Road, Mereworth, after entering through an open window. That same day he was seen acting suspiciously by a Hawkhurst resident who called the police.
It was discovered a brick had been used to smash through a kitchen window of a Slip Mill Lane House, where money was stolen after an untidy search.
The 23-year-old also tried to enter a property in the village High Street but fled after being disturbed. Travelling by car, he then forced his way into another home, this time stealing jewellery from a property in School Lane, Lamberhurst.
Macdonald’s DNA was recovered by forensic investigators at two of the crime scenes.
Two days later, jewellery and a games console were stolen from a home in Downs Road, Maidstone and Macdonald also broke into a property in Sweets Lane, East Malling.
Macdonald, of Regency Place, was also involved in a burglary in Tenterden, on September 21.
Throughout the spree, DNA evidence was found at the scene, including on a broken window, rock and wrench.
Macdonald was arrested on 27 September and charged with five counts of burglary and two counts of attempted burglary.
'His actions had a profound impact of his many victims'
He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with an additional week added for breach of bail.
DC Billie-Louise Keane, of the Chief Constable’s crime squad, said: ‘Macdonald is a career criminal and prolific thief, the likes of whom think they can get away with making other people’s lives a misery.
"His actions have had a profound impact on his many victims and we know all too well just how devastating burglaries can be, for anyone whose home is broken into. I would like to reassure residents we have teams of detectives dedicated to fighting, preventing and solving burglary throughout the county.
"As this case has shown we will do all in our power to bring criminals to justice."
Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone
