A burglar has been jailed and will spend Christmas inside after stealing three valuable cars and Christmas presents from a home in Chatham.

Danny Wallace, pictured here, broke into a home in Binland Grove, during the early hours of Wednesday, December 18, last year .

When the homeowners awoke later that morning they noticed some Christmas presents and a handbag containing bank cards were missing.

After looking outside, they realised all three family cars, worth a combined total of £95,000, had also been stolen.

Detectives found one of the stolen bank cards had been used in Essex and carried out further inquiries following this to identify a suspect.

In May, Wallace, formerly from Dagenham, Essex, was charged with the burglary and the theft of the vehicles.

On Tuesday, December 16, almost a whole year after the break-in, he was found guilty of both offences at Maidstone Crown Court and was jailed for five years.

After sentencing, DC Daniel Bister, said: “This was an invasive crime, with the victims’ belongings being searched for items to steal.

“The family owned three cars and all of these were missing the next day.

“It’s clear Wallace wouldn’t have worked alone, but all of the evidence pointed towards him.

“If any new evidence or information comes to light that identifies further lines of enquiry against the other people involved in this burglary, we will pursue them in order to bring the other offenders to justice.

“This incident took place one week before Christmas Day and the victims had already placed some presents under the tree.

“With no regard for the victims, the offenders stole gifts due to be handed out a week’s time.

“This time last year Wallace was stealing from giving people, but residents can now feel reassured that he will be spending this Christmas behind bars.”