A creeper burglar who broke into a home while his victims were sleeping has been jailed for three years.

Simon Boswell, 31, stole cash and watches from the property in Gordon Road, Strood, while the woman who lived there was asleep in the bedroom with her partner.

He broke into the home by climbing through a kitchen window, overnight between June 5 and June 6, this year and admitted the offence when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

Boswell, formerly of Shepherd Street, Northfleet, stole £160 in cash as well as two watches, cash cards, cigarettes and a pouch of tobacco.

He was caught after Kent police officers examined the property and detected one of Boswell’s fingerprints on an inside window surface.

After sentencing, DC Ian Mather said: "Boswell’s victims only discovered they had been burgled when they woke up in the morning and found their possessions had been taken.

"Although it is unusual for a burglar to break into a home when people are in these crimes often have a devastating impact on those affected."