A fruit packer who fled the scene of a burglary after being caught in the act has been jailed.

Shortly after midday on May 5, 2013, the victim - who was alone at home in Eastchurch - was awoken by the sound of smashing glass.

He made his way to the dining room at the back of the house and saw a young man, who immediately turned and ran, making off in a silver car.

A metal bar from the victim’s back garden had been used to break the window.

Having identified 32-year-old Mariusz Ciski as the suspect from a fingerprint at the house, officers arrested him on suspicion of burglary.

In interview he claimed his print was in the house because he had previously passed the address and asked the victim's wife if he could fill up a water bottle.

Ciski was charged with burglary and has now been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison having pleaded guilty.

Detective Constable Iain Joyce said: "Waking to find a burglar in your home must be a terrifying experience, but the burglar left empty-handed after the victim bravely chased him away.

"I'm pleased that we were able to identify Ciski and ultimately put him behind bars and remove another burglar from the streets of Kent."