A woman in her 70s frightened off a burglar who was later caught by a single fingerprint.

Tom Dixon, 24, of Albion Road, Ramsgate, was jailed for three and a half years after a jury convicted him at Canterbury Crown Court despite his not guilty plea.

The woman was asleep in her bedroom in April last year at a house in Victoria Road, Ramsgate. She woke to see the blinds moving and someone trying to get in.

When she shouted, the burglar ran off.

Police found a fingerprint at the scene and identified prolific burglar Dixon as the suspect.

He said he was drunk, had just come out of prison and was looking for somewhere to sleep.

Senior investigating officer DS Jay Robinson said: "This is a man with a long list of burglary convictions under his belt and he shows no concern for the effect his actions have.

"To wake up and find a stranger trying to get into your house is terrifying and I am grateful the courts saw through his lies and put him behind bars where he can’t commit any more burglaries."