A prolific offender who has caused misery by burgling hundreds of homes has been jailed after a passer-by took a photo of him leaving a crime scene.

Michael Maloney was identified by police after his image was captured on a mobile phone, following an attempted break-in in Tunbridge Wells last year.

Maloney had tried to burgle a flat in Mount Ephraim on December 6, but was disturbed as he tried to enter through a sash window.

At the same time a man walking towards his car had seen him acting suspiciously.

He followed the direction the suspect was heading in and after seeing him again in Molyneaux Park Road took a photo.

It was passed to Kent Police and Maloney was identified as the culprit. Town centre CCTV showed him driving a green Ford Fiesta and three days later he was spotted by patrols getting into the vehicle and arrested.

When searched gift vouchers for a department store were found on him, as well as in a property linked to Maloney in Calverley Street, Tunbridge Wells.

Inquires would link the vouchers to the victim of another burglary which had also taken place on December 6.

"Michael Maloney is a prolific criminal who appears to be incapable of changing his ways..." - Sergeant Jim Farley

Maloney had previously been locked up for over six years for four similar offences involving ransacking. He asked for 300 other offences to be taken into consideration.

A submission that the 39-year-old thief could have sentence deferred to enable him to complete courses in prison was described by a judge as “a novel idea for a recidivist”.

Maloney had been recalled to prison to serve three years remaining from the previous sentence. The latest term, of which he will serve half, was made concurrent.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said he had no power to make it consecutive, adding: “That is the law.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard Maloney broke into a house in Kentish Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, on November 20 last year - within a month of being released from a previous sentence.

He stole jewellery and medals, including a 22 carat gold one for Italian service, worth £2,350.

While trying to burgle a home in Mount Ephraim on December 6, Malone fled empty-handed when the owner heard a noise and “surprised” him.

A neighbour saw him acting suspiciously and challenged him, before following in his car and taking a photo and handing it to the police.

Maloney, formerly of Albion Road, Tunbridge Wells, admitted burglary, attempted burglary, handling John Lewis vouchers shortly after a break-in, possessing cannabis and driving without a licence and insurance.

The court was told he had 26 previous convictions for burglary-related offences and had admitted hundreds more which had been taken into consideration.

He was jailed for six years and three months in December 2015 for burglaries in Nevill Court in The Midway and Post Office Square. His DNA was found on a brick used to smash a window.

Thomas Godfrey, defending, conceded that Malone’s only real mitigation was his guilty pleas.

“The options are to either pass a term of imprisonment or defer sentence so that he can seek to complete various programmes that have been put in place,” he said.

“Deferment for six months would allow the court to be appraised of the progress he has made in the intervening period.

“He commits multiple burglaries. He receives lengthy sentences. He is released and he commits multiple offences. He wants to try to break this chain.”

Sentencing him to three years and eight months, Judge Macdonald said: “This defendant has hundreds of previous convictions and offences taken into consideration for house burglaries.

“The mitigation is an expression of remorse but nothing else. The sentence I pass has to take effect from today. I can’t make it consecutive for the matter for which he has been recalled.”

Sergeant Jim Farley said: "Michael Maloney is a prolific criminal who appears to be incapable of changing his ways.

"Had he not been caught, I have no doubt he would have carried out further offences, causing misery to even more victims in the run up Christmas.

"The phone image provided to us proved crucial in identifying him and tracking him down and I would like to express my thanks to the member of public whose quick thinking and resilience have helped us ensure Maloney is now safely behind bars and unable to cause further harm and distress."