A homeless man who was forensically linked to a burglary in Aylesford is starting a jail-term of more than two years.

Robert Remen was sentenced to 29 months in prison after his attempt to burgle a house in Hall Road was foiled by a 16-year-old boy who was home alone.

On the evening of May 31 the boy was at his parents' address when he heard the letterbox rattle.

Looking out of the window, he saw a man standing near the bins before walking out of view.

Hearing another noise, he went into the living room to investigate and saw the man with his arm bent through a fanlight window, attempting to open a larger window.

The brave youngster then ran across the room and closed both windows, prompting the offender to walk off.

The case bears similarities to the storyline of the 1990 comedy Home Alone, starring Macaulay Culkin as a young boy forced to defend his home against two would-be burglars.

The Aylesford home was forensically examined and officers identified the culprit as 26-year-old Remen who was arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Remen, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the offence at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday.

DC Neil Buckle said: "When home alone and confronted with someone trying to break into his parents' house, the young man bravely challenged Remen and prevented him from getting in and no doubt stealing items.

"In interview Remen showed apparent remorse for any upset he had caused, but by that stage it was too late.

"The courts took his previous bad character into account and sentenced him to nearly two and a half years in prison."

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