A bungling burglar who broke into two homes on the same day stealing over £5,000 worth of jewellery and cash was caught out by the “Buddy” tagging system, a court heard.

Police were able to pinpoint John Vidler in the area of the break-ins in Yalding and Crockham Hill, Sevenoaks.

Now, the 24-year-old father, of Maidstone Road, Marden, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard one of the houses burgled on January 29 was in Benover Road, Yalding.

The alarm sounded and the owner returned to find his wife’s jewellery box had been raided and cash taken. The total value was £5,415.

Vidler, who was on licence at the time for other offences, used a heavy ornament from the garden to break a window and gain entry at Dennetts Farm Cottage, Dennetts Land Road, Crockham Hill.

"He clearly had no intention of changing his ways and broke into people’s homes to feed a drug habit. We know just how devastating crimes like this can be to the victims..." - Det Con Lisa Stevens

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said the owner received a text message telling him his burglar alarm had gone off.

He saw the smashed window and found a “hockey ball type” ornament in the lounge. Drawers and cupboards were open and items were scattered around.

“He said it had caused his wife particular upset,” said Miss Todd. “It was the second time they had been burgled and now they are considering moving.”

Told by Kerry Waitt, defending, that Vidler had been ill with a problem with his intestines, Judge Michael Carroll said: “I don’t want to be unkind but illness didn’t prevent him from travelling across Kent to an isolated cottage to commit burglary and one nearer to home.”

Mr Waitt said Vidler had been addicted to drugs but was “clean” apart from using cannabis.

“He found it difficult to pay off arrears to dealers and reverted to his old ways,” he continued. “He was recalled to prison.”

The judge said he would give Vidler a 25 per cent reduction in sentence for his guilty pleas, adding: “which is generous in the circumstances”.

Detective Constable Lisa Stevens said: "Vidler had been in prison in 2014 for similar offences and at the time of these crimes had been released on licence.

"He clearly had no intention of changing his ways and broke into people’s homes to feed a drug habit.

"We know just how devastating crimes like this can be to the victims and prison is clearly the best place for him.

"Reoffenders such as Vidler think they can get away with making other people’s lives a misery but we have teams of detectives dedicated to fighting, preventing and solving burglary throughout the county and as this case has shown we will do all in our power to bring criminals to justice."