A prolific teenage burglar who went on a spree, breaking into homes, causing damage and stealing cars from them, has been locked up for three years and nine months.

Freddie Stephens and others crept into properties while occupiers were sleeping or smashed doors when they were out during the crime wave in the Swanley, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Dartford areas.

The 19-year-old admitted six burglaries and two attempted burglaries.

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He also admitted seven offences of possessing criminal property, making off without payment, theft and allowing himself to be carried in a stolen car.

He denied possessing cocaine and heroin, but was convicted.

He appeared for sentence on Monday with Wayne Pickett, 24, and 19-year-old Brett Smith, all of Mills Crescent, Seal.

Smith admitted one offence of burglary and two of possessing criminal property and Pickett admitted one of burglary and one of possessing criminal property.

Father-to-be Smith was sentenced to 18 months youth custody and Pickett was jailed for 18 months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard a stolen moped, a quad bike and cars with cloned plates were used in some of the break-ins. One of the cars stolen was valued at £48,000.

A burglary at a house in Court Crescent, Swanley, failed when the victim spotted the moped at the top of his driveway in the early hours.

Stephens also committed burglaries in Birchwood Park Avenue, Swanley, Fairseat, Sevenoaks, Halstead, Stoneings Lane, Sevenoaks, and Framley Road, Tonbridge.

There were also attempted burglaries in Mount Pleasant, Biggin Hill, and Hale Oak Road, Weald.

Stephens was involved in the theft of lead from a roof belonging to Yeshiva Gedolah Torah Veyirah Sevenoaks Ltd on September 17 last year and possessing criminal property, including a quad bike, BMW car, Mini Cooper, a Seat Leon Cupra, an Audi RS Q3 and a Golf GTI.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said arrests were made after the Audi worth £48,000 was left in Seal on September 28 and a Land Rover with Pickett, Smith and Stephens in arrived there.

Stephens had eight previous convictions for 12 offences and was a “third strike” burglar facing a minimum sentence of three years custody.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip St John-Stevens said: “Those who burgle houses must understand it is not simply the value of the property, it is the effect. Victims are deeply upset.

“One individual said they still have sleepless nights and feel their house is violated, where they should have felt safe and secure.”

Video evidence showed how a victim in Biggin Hill foiled Stephens’ attempts to break into his property, after confronting him at his front door