A bungling burglar who left a rubber glove at the scene of one of his crimes has started a five-year jail sentence.

Darren Rogers, 39, of First Avenue, Rushenden on the Isle of Sheppey, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court and pleaded guilty to breaking or attempting to break into three homes in Sittingbourne, Teynham and Whitstable.

The court heard how Rogers was arrested on Thursday September 21 as part of an investigation into all three incidents.

Rogers pleaded guilty to breaking into a house in Woodstock Road in Sittingbourne between 9am and 3.30pm on September 12where he stole various items of jewellery and a satellite navigation system.

Officers were able to link Rogers to this burglary after he left a plastic glove at the scene which contained his DNA.

Detectives also found CCTV images showing Rogers and another man at a jewellery shop in Gillingham where it is believed they sold some of the stolen items.

On the same day, Rogers attempted to break into a house in Lower Road, Teynham, where CCTV revealed he arrived at the property at around 11.50am, looked through the window and attempted to get inside the property before he spotted the security camera and walked off.

Rogers also pleaded guilty to a burglary in Bayview Road, Whitstable, which took place at around 3.30pm on Monday July 31.

The victim, a woman in her 60s, was at home and had left her front door open momentarily to say goodbye to her daughter when Rogers stepped in and stole the woman's purse.

The woman said she did not know her purse was missing until two hours later when her bank called to report suspicious activity on her account.

After she reported the theft, police officers found CCTV footage which showed Rogers going in and out of her house.

In all the CCTV films, Rogers was seen wearing the same white and grey Adidas tracksuit which was found at his home when he was arrested.

Scott Wesley, 45, of Elm Grove, Sittingbourne, was also arrested in connection with these crimes and charged with handling stolen goods.

He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court and was given 120 hours unpaid work, a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £85 court costs.

Investigating officer, detective constable Robert Feasey, said: "Rogers pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday October 22 to these offences and quite rightly so, as we had a lot of evidence against him.

"He is a prolific thief having been convicted previously. I am pleased he has received a significant sentence for these crimes.

"He had shown no remorse or cared how he made his victims feel when he broke into their homes, somewhere a person should feel safe and secure.

"He was just thinking of himself. I hope this sentence helps his victims feel they have got some justice."