A burglar who targeted a mum and her two children just days before Christmas has been jailed for three years.

Tony Herridge, 20, of Dickens Road, Gravesend, pleaded guilty to the burglary and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court.

The court heard how on the evening of December 21 2010, the mum left her home with her fiancé and two young children to do some Christmas shopping.

When they returned after two hours, they discovered the break-in.

Among the items taken were some of sentimental value, including things she had bought for her wedding a couple of months later.

The kitchen window had been smashed and every room apart from the children’s rooms had been searched and looked through.

Blood found at the property was matched to Herridge and he was arrested on January 11 and charged.

He had been on licence for another residential burglary.

Investigating officer Mark Donovan said: "Burglary can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and I am delighted that a custodial sentence was imposed on this defendant, who chose one of his own neighbours to target."