A "sinister" stalker who harassed his victims and burgled their homes – putting hair gel in an oven at one of them – has been jailed.

Michael Cherry, from Tonbridge, also poured washing up liquid in a kettle and coffee machine during the break-in.

Between June 11 and 26, the 35-year-old made persistent phone calls and left messages for a woman he knew.

Cherry also called at her home uninvited and, on two occasions, damaged her partner’s car by deflating its tyres.

On June 25, he broke into the partner’s house and stole a bank card and some car keys.

While there, he also squeezed washing up liquid in the kettle and coffee machine and put hair gel in the oven.

Cherry then targeted the woman’s house, stealing a number of items and damaging a bed.

'Breaking into their homes and causing damage while stealing personal items was particularly sinister and it is entirely appropriate that Cherry is now serving a prison sentence...'

Officers arrested Cherry on June 27 and seized cocaine, plus the stolen property from the two victims’ houses.

When his mobile phone was examined he had a photograph of the partner’s car and a tracking app that showed the location of his house.

Cherry, of no fixed address and formerly from the Tonbridge area, was charged with stalking, two counts of burglary and possession of cocaine.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Friday was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. He will also be subject to a restraining order on his release.

PC Max Jordan of the West Division Vulnerability Investigation Team, said: "Cherry relentlessly targeted two victims and his criminal actions caused them considerable distress.

"Breaking into their homes and causing damage while stealing personal items was particularly sinister and it is entirely appropriate that Cherry is now serving a prison sentence.

"I would like to commend the two victims for their courageous support in bringing this man to justice."