A man who was caught breaking in to a Cliftonville house by the homeowner has been jailed for more than two years.

Paul Wales, 49, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary after smashing through a glass pane in Zion Place and trying to unlock the door from the inside.

The homeowner heard the glass smash while she in the dining room at the front of the house on August 31 last year.

Wales ran away from the address after she shouted at him to get out.

Officers found fingerprints on the broken glass which matched those of Wales and he was arrested on September 25.

He has been sentenced to two years and eight months after appearing at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Neil Watford said: “Burglary is a terrible offence that can have a big psychological impact on the people whose homes are targeted.

“My team will work relentlessly to pursue those responsible for these offences and ensure they are brought to justice.”