A guilt-ridden thief who coughed up to 30 other burglaries when arrested for a Rochester break-in has been jailed for three years.

Steven Whiteman, 28, confessed to the crime spree because he wanted to leave prison with a clear conscience, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

"He gives an exhaustive list," said his lawyer Mary Jacobson. "He gives an eloquent explanation. He wants to get it off his chest. He wants to change his ways."

Whiteman, of Shorts Way, Rochester, was recalled to prison to serve the remainder of a four years and three months sentence when arrested with another man for the burglary in Cookham Hill on April 4.

Alex Wilson, prosecuting, said Whiteman told officers he asked for 30 other offences to be taken into consideration because he wanted to leave prison with a clean slate.

He told the police: "After I have done this, my conscience will be clear."

Mr Wilson said Whiteman faced a minimum of three years behind bars, having committed at least three previous burglaries.

He had 49 convictions for dishonesty, 14 for house burglaries.