A judge told a sledgehammer-wielding thief who ransacked three properties in little more than 24 hours “burglary is not something you are good at”.

Kirk Holt swiped the hammer from his terrified victim’s shed before staring at her through the window of her Margate home.

The 32-year-old career criminal targeted the property at the end of a one-man crime wave, during which he ransacked two homes just hours before.

Handing down a six-year prison sentence at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, recorder Turner told Holt: “You have an appalling criminal record.

“You are a prolific burglar, although it is clearly something you are not very good at, but you have, nonetheless, a very prolific record.

“You have a large number of previous convictions - you reoffended a day or two after your previous licence period expired.

“The public deserves to be kept from you for as long as possible - it is a substantial sentence but it is a sentence that reflects your criminality.”

The court heard Holt, who comes from the town, stole bank cards, electronics and sentimental keepsakes - including medals and a gold pocketwatch - from homes in High Street and Wellis Gardens between August 2 and 3.

He then used the cards to splurge on convenience foods, alcohol, and even a drink from Coffee Station at Margate train station.

The same day, a woman walked into her kitchen to find Holt - brandishing her sledgehammer after raiding her garden shed - trying to gain access to her home while grinning at her through a window.

Following his arrest Holt, of Honeysuckle Close, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, attempted burglary, and five counts of fraud by false representation.

He also asked for a separate burglary committed around the same time in Canterbury Road, alongside a separate charge of fraud, to be taken into consideration.

Prosecutor Liam Gregory said Holt caused “destruction to an address which has caused a degree of distress for those concerned”.

And although he did not reveal the full length of Holt’s criminal record in court, he labelled it “extensive”, with more than three burglaries.

Holt, who was supported by family and friends in the public gallery, could be seen closing his eyes and nodding as the judge delivered his sentencing remarks.

Representing Holt, Chris Wray said he has struggled with Class A addiction for years: “It is the cause of the offending he is being sentenced for today.”

Speaking after the hearing, DS Jay Robinson, said: "Kirk Holt was rather blatant in his offending.

“He was burgling while people were in their homes and showed no second thought for the impact of his actions on others.

“Being burgled is an invasion of privacy and a breach of security in a place where people have a right to feel safe.

“Through the swift actions of our officers, the victims were able to get their stolen items returned and Holt is now in jail, and I hope it brings them reassurance.”