A teenager has been jailed for a one-night crime spree in Sittingbourne.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was handed an 18-month sentence after he admitted a single charge of burglary dwelling and four similar offences.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how on August 20 this year, one of his victims woke up at his home in Yeates Drive, Kemsley, and realised his Vauxhall Insignia had vanished from his driveway.

A bunch of keys and £20 in cash were also missing from his wife’s handbag. The keys were later found at the scene of another burglary.

Officers sent them off for forensic testing and a DNA hit that matched the youngster, formerly of Orpington, was recovered.

When he was interviewed by detectives he admitted he had broken into the address to steal the keys, and subsequently the car, while the occupants were asleep.

Appearing in court on November 3, he asked the judge to take a four other burglaries into account while sentencing him.

These included two more break-ins in Yeates Drive, another in Perth Gardens and one in Cinnibar Drive, Sonora Fields, all during the same night.

Investigating officer, DC Alasdair Murray, said: “Once we had arrested the teenager and got him into interview, he was open about the fact he had forced open the doors to these properties using a screwdriver.

“However, his honesty in interview does not take away from the fact that he violated people’s privacy, broke into their homes and in some cases stole their property for his own gains.

“Burglary is one of the most invasive crimes there is as it means victims do not feel safe in their own homes.

“This is simply unacceptable and underlines the need for Kent Police’s specialised burglary detectives.

“We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to track down the culprits and bring them to justice.”