A hapless burglar was jailed for three years and then tapped his heart and told a judge: "Cheers, thank you very much."

As lawyers were trying to count how many times Darryl Davies had been convicted of breaking into homes, he had told the court: "I am a three striker" - which meant he was liable to a mandatory minimum three-year sentence.

But Judge Stephen Davies retorted: "I think you'll find you are a fourth striker."

The 38-year-old thief claimed he was planning to kill himself after he was seen trying the doors to houses in Elliotts Way, Chatham.

Prosecutor Amy Nicholson told Maidstone Crown Court that on October 11 he went into back gardens intending to get into a shed.

"He was unsuccessful but then tried to get into the property and was again unsuccessful.

"He then jumped a wall into the next door's garden got into a shed but didn't take anything."

Ms Nicholson said the hapless thief then tried to break into more sheds and houses.

"He then got into another house but disturbed the homeowner by his banging noises.

The man woke up and saw Davies at the bottom of the stairs, shouted at him and the thief fled.

Then Davies tried to break into a house in Aviation Walk - but again was so loud, the householder woke up.

Davies then jumped over another fence and failed to get into a vehicle.

"Thankfully his failed numerous attempts to thieve from others led to his arrest and has left him behind bars" - PC Ben Shove

"Police were already looking for him because his family and friends were concerned he was in crisis and was trying to kill himself because he messaged them saying he was going to jump from a bridge on the M2."

John Fitzgerald, defending, said: "He remembers next to nothing of what happened and is extremely sorry for his behaviour. He was at a very low ebb at the time."

Davies, of Penfold Close, Chatham, admitted charges of burglary, attempted burglary and trying to break into a car and was jailed for three years.

Officer in charge of the case, PC Ben Shove of Medway CID said: "Davis was determined break into a number of homes in a Medway street.

"Thankfully his failed numerous attempts to thieve from others led to his arrest and has left him behind bars.

"Burglary causes much distress to victims and there are simple actions such as double-checking all doors and windows are locked and leaving lights on timer switches is often enough to deter potential burglars."

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