A mum-of-two who moved an armed burglar to want to change his ways after confronting him at her home has been praised for her courage and compassion.

Chevon Eneh, from Chatham, was confronted by the raider brandishing a crowbar who demanded her car keys and phone.

But a judge at Maidstone Crown Court heard how she talked Harry Garratty into handing them back after she told him she needed them to collect her child.

Now the 36-year-old crook has revealed he is turning his life around - thanks to her kindness.

But it didn't stop Judge Charles MacDonald KC from handing Garratty an eight-and-a-half year extended jail sentence for the robbery.

Prosecutor Martin Yale revealed how, on July 24 last year Ms Eneh, returned to her home, intending to later collect her children from school.

He said she hadn't realised Garratty had used a crowbar to open a patio window and ransacked several rooms as she arrived home.

The burglar confronted her and threatened her with the weapon, saying: "Get back. Get back. I could kill you."

As Garretty made off with car keys and a mobile phone, he added: "Don't call the police, I will hurt you."

Judge MacDonald said: "She is a person of considerable courage and compassion, in my judgement, because she followed him out to where he had got into her car and managed to persuade him to return the car keys and phone in return for the £15 cash she had in her handbag."

He said the empathetic mum also urged Garratty to stop his thieving, adding: "I can help you. You don't have to do this".

Ms Eneh later revealed she had struggled to sleep following the incident because she was so scared and added it "felt like torture" being in her home and fearing burglars.

Garratty went into the witness box to read out a letter he had typed, telling the judge: "I just want to say how sorry I am. Words can not describe just how sorry I am.

"I did not realise the effect it has had on the victim until now.

"I have thought about this every day since I have been in prison and the words that she said to me, which has been my motivation to really want to change my life for good."

He added that he stole her possessions and "still the woman offered me her help."

He added: "It just shows the compassion she has.

"She asked me how and why it had come to this. She said to me that I could change and change was possible and she also said if there was anything she could do to help she would.

"Your honour, these words have been my strength and my motivation to want to change my life for the good.

"If there is anything I can help or I can give to the victim then I would definitely do everything possible."

'She said to me that I could change and change was possible and she also said if there was anything she could do to help she would'

Garratty, of Shepperton Close, Chatham was given an immediate six-year jail sentence and told he would have to serve two-thirds before he can be considered for release.

The judge then added another two-and-a-half years which he will have to serve on licence once he is free.

Speaking to KentOnline after the sentencing Ms Eneh said: "It was scary and confusing because I have family overe here all the time and I came in, went to the kitchen and heard someone rustling upstairs.

"I called out for my brother and saw a guy walking down the stairs. It was shocking. He was threatening me and I was petrified.

"He left with my keys and phone and I did a silly thing and jumped into the passenger sit and begged him to give me my stuff back as I needed to get my son.

"I was in a state of terror and I could only think of my son and how I needed to pick him up. It was an outer body experience trying to negotiate with someone trying to rob your house.

"In the end I did have a good conversation with him and he handed me back my things and I felt sorry for him and I suggested he change his life and I do hope he changes his life because you've got be either a really, really bad person or desperate to break into someone's home."

Ms Eneh said she would be happy to speak to Garratty when he is realised, in the appropriate setting, if he has turned his life around.

PC Ben Slocombe, of the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad, said: "Breaking into somebody’s home is an appalling offence and this criminal put a woman through a terrifying ordeal.

"The fact that he ransacked a number rooms and then made violent threats mean a prison sentence is entirely appropriate.

"I would like to commend the victim who has shown considerable courage in assisting us to bring the dangerous offender to justice."