Maidstone Crown Court, where Whiteman was sentenced

by Keith Hunt

A homeless "lag" broke into a house at night and was caught wearing the owner's coat, a court heard.

Russell Whiteman caused terror at the victim's home in Luton Road, Chatham, on March 27 this year.

The 47-year-old repeat offender, who was a "three strikes" burglar, was on the receiving end of some plain talking from a judge when he was jailed for almost three years.

"You say you don't remember it because you were drunk", Judge Jeremy Carey told him at Maidstone Crown Court. "You terrified the occupants, particularly the lady there.

"You may come across today as an inadequate homeless drunk but the reality is the lady was not to know that. For all she knew you were breaking in to commit a serious offence against her or her daughter.

"It is every home owner's nightmare to wake up at night and discover an intruder in the premises. You know in the cold light of day how serious your offending is."

Whiteman, who admitted burglary, had forced entry into the house at night when the vulnerable occupants were sleeping.

Sentencing him to two years 10 months, the judge continued: "You have a bad record. You have been a pain in the neck of society for years.

"You can go one of two ways. You can take advice available. I know as a member of the parole board there are prison officers who genuinely want to make a difference to prisoners.

"You can go in that direction or you can go in another direction. There is plenty of opportunity to get hold of drugs and hooch. The choice is yours."

Judge Carey added: "You are going inside and you should make the most of it. It will be warmer than a car park in Chatham.

"As you know as what might be described as an old lag, you will serve up to 17 months in custody and the balance on licence."