A burglar who was denied entry to Canada after fleeing the UK and then detained at Heathrow airport has been jailed after breaking into a Sevenoaks home.

Leonardo Velasquez-Valencia was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court today (October 31).

The 37-year-old, who attempted to flee the country to evade capture, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, August 21 to ten counts of burglary.

This was related to incidents across seven counties – including Kent, Essex, London, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Wiltshire.

Kent Police’s emergency call handlers received a report of a burglary at a property near St John’s Hill just before 7.30pm on Thursday, February 8.

Before officers arrived, the suspect left the scene on foot with various items such as jewellery, cash, a laptop and a handbag.

Detectives were able to identify Velasquez-Valencia as the perpetrator after a forensic examination of the property recovered some DNA.

Collaborative work with other forces further revealed he was responsible for several burglaries which occurred elsewhere in the country between February 1 and March 29.

To avoid police, Velasquez-Valencia flew to Canada on Tuesday, May 25 but was refused entry for having $6,700 Canadian and US dollars on him and no valid reason for carrying a large amount of cash.

He was arrested and remanded upon his return to the UK in connection with the burglaries.

Investigating officer, DC Joshua Littley, said: “Velasquez-Valencia committed a crime spree, for his own financial gain, giving little thought to the impact on his victims.

“He callously stole heirlooms, sentimental jewellery pieces and caused substantial damage to a number of properties.

“His actions not only left victims feeling unsafe in their own homes but grieving the loss of items that held considerable meaning for them.

“I hope the offender’s lengthy custodial sentence offers some comfort to those he wronged and serves as yet another reminder to perpetrators and would-be criminals that crime does not pay.”