A burglar who stole £1,000 from his aunt has been kept out of prison thanks to her kind words.

Sevenoaks Magistrates Court heard 22-year-old Charlie Cox had been recovering from a drug-fuelled weekend when he broke into his aunt's home in Pembury.

Once inside, Cox managed to steal £1,000 in cash his aunt had been saving for Christmas.

The court heard Cox immediately used the cash to pay off a £540 drug debt, spending the rest on more drugs and food.

Representing himself, Cox pleaded guilty to burglary.

The court heard Cox tried to break in his aunt's home on Henwood Green Road on October 16, but was unsuccessful.

He returned later the same day and managed to get inside.

Cox told magistrates: "I've been struggling with cocaine addiction.

"I had to pay off some people and I knew there was money at my aunt's place, I took advantage of that.

"Since then I've sorted stuff out with my family, I've stopped taking drugs for the last couple of weeks."

Despite breaking a window to gain access and robbing her of her savings, Cox's aunt was forgiving.

"I had to pay off some people and I knew there was money at my aunt's place, I took advantage of that..." - Charlie Cox

She said: "We're a close family and we worry about Charlie.

"I wish he would get the help he needs. I remember him as a boy - he was loyal and family orientated."

The court heard Cox handed himself into police soon after the burglary.

Chair of the magistrates' bench Neil Rae said: "It's clear your family are very worried about you, your aunt is more concerned about getting you off drugs then punishing you for this offence.

"The starting point is one year in custody, we've taken into account the desire you've expressed to get off drugs.

"We take into account that you don't have any previous offences, also we take into account the tone of your aunt's letter, which supports you in trying to turn your life around.

"She's a very good woman."

Having pleaded guilty, Cox, of Beagles Wood Road, was ordered to serve a curfew between 8pm and 6am each night.

He must also take part in 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.