A thief who committed a string of burglaries at pubs and other businesses, stealing charity boxes from some of them, has been jailed for just over three years.

Dale Pearson’s teenage girlfriend at the time, Karis Thatcher, who acted as lookout, was spared an immediate prison sentence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard they committed the offences while they were homeless and had little money.

Pearson admitted breaking into Age UK’s Belle Friday Centre in London Road, Teynham, and stealing a charity box, The George Inn, London Road, Teynham, and stealing a cash box containing £250 and a charity box, and The Dover Castle pub, London Road, Teynham, and stealing cash, all on July 1 this year.

The 22-year-old, formerly of Lodge Oak Lane, Tonbridge, also admitted burgling in Dymchurch The City of London pub, High Street, and stealing cash and two charity boxes and attempting to burgle Snack Attack, High Street, and The Royal British Legion Memorial Hall, Sea Wall, all on June 28.

Pearson further pleaded guilty to burgling in Tunbridge Wells The Guinea Butt Pub, Calverley Road, and stealing a charity box, The George at Mount Ephraim and stealing a till drawer containing £150 cash, a safe containing £420 and jars containing about £40, Pulpito tapas bar, Camden Road, and stealing cash, and attempting to burgle The Black Horse, Camden Road, when confronted by the licensee, all on July 14.

Pearson, who has 38 previous convictions for 51 offences, admitted dangerous driving on New Road and Somerset Road in Ashford on July 5 and was banned for three-and-a-half years.

Thatcher, of Chaucer Road, Elvington, near Dover, admitted burgling in Tunbridge Wells The Guinea Butt Pub, The George and Pulpito and attempted burglary at The Black Horse.

She was sentenced to 16 months youth custody suspended for two years with a community order.

The pair were dealt with separately because Thatcher feared being the dock with Pearson at the same time.

Judge Adele Williams said Pearson was a prolific offender who “got around the county” committing burglaries.

Jailing him for three years and two months, she told him: “You are only 22 but have a bad record already.

"This is really unacceptable behaviour. It is about time you found some maturity to put your life in order.”

The judge told Thatcher that by associating with Pearson she had put her own liberty and future in jeopardy.

“I could quite easily send you to prison today,” she added. “I am not going to do so.”