A burglar who targeted charity shops in Chatham in a bid to return to prison has got his wish and will now spend Christmas behind bars.

Mark Dunn began his criminal campaign on Friday when he broke into Sue Ryder Care on the High Street.

The homeless 34-year-old smashed a glass pane in the fire door before stealing almost £590 from the safe at about 9pm.

Not content with his haul, in the early hours of the following day he moved onto the nearby British Heart Foundation.

However, as he attempted to break in, he cut his hand on the smashed glass window and then noticed someone was looking out of their flat opposite the shop and left empty-handed.

On Sunday night, he twice struck at Shelter Trading also in the High Street.

At about 10pm, he smashed the bottom panel of the front door and stole a small quantity of cash from inside.

He returned a couple of hours later and this time smashed a window with a beer barrel and took £6 inside and drunk the milk in the fridge.

When approached by officers, he told them: "I was released from prison on Friday at 10am, I've got a broken leg from where I fell off a roof doing a burglary and I've just done more burglaries so I can go back to prison.

"I've been released with nowhere to live. I can't walk very fast, they won't help me and I just want to go back to prison."

Dunn admitted four burglary charges when he appeared via virtual court link at Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday and was jailed for 120 days.

DC Steve Day, from Kent Police, said: "Dunn was clearly hell bent on doing anything he could to return to prison and chose charity shops in a bid to make some quick cash.

"There are some simple steps that businesses can take to reduce the risk of them being targeted.

"Traders should consider removing high value goods from display windows overnight and try not to leave any cash on the premises. Alarm systems are always a good way of deterring would-be burglars and should be considered as an effective method of safeguarding your business.

"This was a good example of swift justice as Dunn was arrested and charged on Sunday night and back in prison by Monday.

"Kent Police and the courts take a dim view of burglary, especially of community shops raising money for worthwhile causes, and will continue to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."