A drug addict who committed two robberies and a burglary has been jailed for 10 years after a judge decided he was a danger to the public.

Charlie Hilden, who describes himself as “an old fashioned gypsy”, will have to serve two thirds of the term before the parole board will consider his release.

Under the extended sentence for public protection, the 30-year-old father, of Saltings Road, Snodland, will be on licence for a further two years.

Stunned Hilden, who has 53 previous convictions including four for robbery, asked: "How long have I got? I am in shock."

He admitted the burglary charge shortly before he was due to stand trial on Wednesday. He had previously admitted the robbery offences.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the first robbery happened at the home of Paul Sargeant in Gillingham.

Hilden went there in June last year and told the victim if he did not give him money he would stab him, stab his dogs and set light to the house.

Mr Sargeant handed over his £100 unemployment benefit.

"How long have I got? I am in shock" - Charlie Hilden

Prosecutor Edmund Fowler said Hilden further warned the house would be torched with the dogs in it if the police were informed.

Four months later he and another man approached Christopher Pay as he walked up Chatham Hill.

Hilden asked for his phone and when Mr Pay refused to hand it over he was “frogmarched” down the hill and taken into an alleyway.

Hilden went through his pockets and took the phone and a hat that belonged to Mr Pay’s late father-in-law.

He was arrested eight days later but while on bail he broke into a flat in Fisher Street, Maidstone, close to the prison.

Seamus Hooper and his partner Cheryl Brown returned home to find a panel in the door had been kicked in and then saw Hilden and two other men emerging from the basement.

Hilden said he had gone there to get away. The three then ran off. Miss Brown discovered a computer and a phone were missing. The computer was found in a bag in the basement.