A burglar found himself in deep water and almost drowned in an attempt to escape from the police, a court heard.

David Brunger jumped into the River Medway after he and three others broke into a house in Cuxton.

He was discovered, fully clothed, hiding in reeds after being tracked down by a police dog. Two teenagers were nearby in the water at Cuxton Marina.

Jagmohan Takk, for 24-year-old Brunger, told a judge at Maidstone Crown Court this week: “He jumped into the river and had to be rescued. He almost died in the river.”

“He jumped into the river and had to be rescued. He almost died in the river” - Jagmohan Takk, defending

Brunger, of Eagles Close, Murston, Sittingbourne, was jailed for two years and nine months.

The two 17-year-old teenagers, both from Sittingbourne, were each given youth rehabilitation orders - one for 12 months with 60 hours unpaid work and the other for 18 months with 100 hours unpaid work.

Earnshaw, who has 35 convictions for 49 offences, denied burgling the house in Station Road, Cuxton, and attempted burglary in nearby Rochester Road the same day, but was convicted.

Brunger and the teenagers, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, admitted the burglary.

One of the teenagers denied attempted burglary. He failed to appear in court and was convicted in his absence.

Prosecutor Ian Foinette said a watch worth £300 and £330 in cash were stolen during the day time burglary on September 29 last year.

The money had been kept in a tin box, the lid from which was later found on one of the teenagers.

The owner of a bungalow in Rochester Road saw four men at the top of her drive. As the door handle was tried she put the chain on. One of the burglars charged the door in a failed attempt to gain entry.

Mr Takk said the four had intended to go to Maidstone that day but were thrown off the train in Cuxton for not paying the fare.

Recorder Simon Taylor QC said there was significant disturbance and mess left behind in the burglary. “It must have been alarming for the family, particularly the children,” he added.

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