Most people would flee in horror on finding a burglar in their home and report it to the police.

Plucky Courtney Hancock decided she was not going to risk her intruder getting away and, instead, stayed to confront him and took photos which led to his conviction, a court heard.

After quizzing Mark Fletcher, he gave a false name and pushed past her. But she followed in her car and took photos of him.

Police were then able to identify the 41-year-old drug addict and repeat offender from the pictures.

Now, the “three strikes” burglar, of Albany Road, Gillingham, has been jailed for three years.

A judge praised Mrs Hancock for acting with “conspicuous bravery” by pursuing Fletcher and snapping him.

Maidstone Crown Court was told Fletcher had shortly before broken into a shed in Gillingham.

He then went to the house in Pear Tree Lane in the day time and smashed windows to get in.

Mrs Hancock returned home to let her dog out to find it howling in its cage.

“She opened the door and found the shocking scene of seeing the defendant in the kitchen going through her cupboards,” said prosecutor Don Ramble.

“She was extremely worried but instead of fleeing the scene she challenged him, demanding he explain who he was. He gave a false name.

“She pursued him, even when he fled the scene. She got into her car and continued the pursuit while contacting the police at the same time. She was also taking photographs.

“He tried to conceal his face. Photos she took allowed the police to identify him. He was instantaneously recognised.”

Mrs Hancock described her intruder as either being drunk or on drugs. He stole prescription drugs, a watch and house keys in the burglary.

Judge Adele Williams said: “She behaved with conspicuous bravery and presence of mind, following him in her car and taking photographs of him.”

Earlier on April 18 this year, Fletcher broke into the shed in Lombardy Close and stole two pairs of gloves and a drill.

The home owner also took photos of him and showed them to the police.

Fletcher, who admitted two offences of burglary, was jailed for two years in November 2002 and 120 days in August 2014 for similar offences.

He faced a three-year minimum having committed three burglaries.

Charlotte Surley, defending, said Fletcher had struggled with heroin addiction for 10 years.

“He and his partner lost their flat because of his offending,” said Miss Surley.

“He is expecting the minimum sentence and is pleased this will be a motivating factor.

“If he could have stayed out of prison for 12 months he would, in his words, have ‘cracked it’.

"He regrets bitterly the circumstances he has brought on himself and his partner.

“He is on the waiting list in prison for drug programmes. His methadone prescription has continued.”

Judge Williams told Fletcher: “Unhappily, you have been in the grip of Class A drugs and other substances for years.

"I hope very much during your sentence you will take advantage of help and rid yourself of your addiction.”