A repeat offender who was caught with stolen goods shortly after a burglary has been jailed for 18 months.

Andrew Radford was due to stand trial on the burglary charge but the prosecution accepted his guilty plea to handling.

As a "three strikes burglar", the 37-year-old drug addict was facing a minimum three-year sentence.

Radford also put a brick through the window of a car in the cathedral park in Rochester and stole a satnav and designer sunglasses.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he was caught with bank cards and other documents stolen in the burglary in King George Road, Chatham, near to where he was staying at the time.

Prosecutor Jonathan Gold said the break-in happened on July 27 last year while the home was occupied.

Soon afterwards, Radford, who has 39 previous court appearances for 89 offences, used the bank card, obtaining £30 on three occasions.

Mr Gold said the car owner had parked her car overnight and returned to find the broken window and items missing.

Blood left on the car door was matched to Radford’s DNA.

There was extensive damage to the car and had an impact on the victim’s insurance.

He admitted handling stolen goods, fraud and theft.

Emin Kandola, defending, said the offences stemmed from Radford’s drug addiction.

“The offences took place while he was under the influence,” she said.

“He was homeless. Clearly, drugs are an issue for him.”

Judge Adele Williams told Radford, of no fixed address, each of the victims had suffered significant loss and inconvenience.

“You have a really bad record for dishonesty,” she said.

“You have had a drug problem for many years.”

Radford was sentenced to 14 months for the handling offence and four months consecutive for theft.

Concurrent sentences were passed for fraud.