One of the country's most prolific burglars is behind bars.

When Andrew MacDonald was caught breaking in to a house in Hythe he confessed to another 236 similar offences, stealing property worth about £550,000.

The 28-year-old was jailed for six years, two years of which were for possessing guns taken in one of the burglaries.

The case comes as the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge has declared war on burglars, saying a person’s home should be their castle and demanding tougher sentences.

MacDonald’s offending spanned four counties and included exclusive The Bishop’s Avenue in Hampstead, north London, which has been dubbed Billionaire’s Row.

He was arrested after burgling a house in Seabrook Road, Hythe, and stealing £7,000 worth of jewellery and cash from owner Barry Phillips.

Paul Valder, prosecuting at Maidstone Crown Court, said MacDonald’s DNA was matched with another break-in.

After his arrest, he took police on a “drive around” pointing out 30 other burglaries, with a haul of £46,000, he had committed in the Folkestone area, between June and August last year.

Mr Valder said MacDonald was granted bail but then officers went to his home and found two rifles he had stolen in a burglary.

MacDonald then said he wanted to “wipe the slate clean” and confessed to other burglaries, specialising in jewellery and cash, dating back to 1999 and with a haul of £470,000.

Judge Philip Statman said he noticed The Bishops Avenue was involved, adding: “It is a very high class residential area.”

He told MacDonald: “You burgled not because you are a drug addict but because you are homeless and you use the money to obtain assets, in particular accommodation.

“On any view, you are a skilled and prolific burglar."

He had convictions dating back to 1987 for robbery, burglary and other dishonesty.

MacDonald, of Finchley, north London, had convictions for robbery and burglary dating back to 1987.

He was jailed for four years for the burglaries and two years consecutive for possessing the firearms.