A burglar who targeted a home in the Towns and used a stolen bank card to pay for scratch cards, fast food and cigarettes has been locked up.

Darren Bunch, 47, targeted the home in Rochester in January and CCTV cameras placed him in the area at the time and also captured him using the stolen card at different places in the Towns afterwards.

Bunch, of Bryant Street, Chatham, was found guilty of burglary and three counts of fraud by false representation and was jailed for four years and nine months at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard on the morning of January 14, one of the victims woke to find coats had been knocked to the floor of his property in Borstal Road, despite them being previously hung up.

He also found a side door had been left open but initially assumed that one of his children were responsible.

After returning from the shops he spoke with his wife and noticed that his mobile phone, a handbag and a quantity of cash had also been stolen.

It then transpired their bank card had been used in a number of transactions at a service station, a mini supermarket and a fast food restaurant.

The offence was reported to Kent Police, who identified Bunch as a suspect after CCTV images showed him in the area.

They then checked the fraudulent transactions on the victim’s bank card and gathered CCTV from the stores where it was used, showing him using the card.

He was located and arrested four days after the burglary and has been in custody on remand since then.

DC Daniel Bister said: "Despite the overwhelming evidence against Bunch, he chose to plead not guilty.

"This shows he has no remorse for the impact his offending had on his victims and I have no doubt that if he were to remain in the streets he would remain a threat to other members of the public.

"Burglary is an intrusive offence that can leave victims feeling vulnerable in their own home, a place where they should feel secure.

"I would like to thank the victims of this incident for the support they have given to this case."