A burglar who attacked a woman in her 80s in her own home has had his prison sentence extended.

Kyle Thatcher broke into three homes in Staple and River, near Dover, in the space of less than a fortnight and stole goods worth thousands of pounds.

During the final break-in, the 30-year-old - of Folkestone Road in Dover - attacked an 88-year-old woman who had disturbed him, pushing her over and causing an injury to her head.

At Canterbury Crown Court on May 30 he was sentenced to a prison sentence of two years and eight months for the three burglaries.

Following the sentencing, the then Solicitor General, Alex Chalk MP, referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme as he felt that the original sentence was not sufficient.

Thatcher's original sentence was found to be unduly lenient by the Court today and was increased to four years and six months.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General, Edward Timpson QC MP, said: "Not only did Thatcher steal thousands of pounds worth of goods, he also injured a vulnerable woman trying to protect her home and belongings.

"Those who break into people's homes for their own personal gain need to face the appropriate punishment and the increase in Thatcher's sentence sends that clear message."

Thatcher was eventually tracked down after leaving DNA evidence of his crimes at the scenes of the break-ins.

The first burglary took place at a house in Staple during the late morning of Thursday, April 7, and the owners returned to find a smashed window, emptied jewellery boxes and noticed that a duvet was missing from one of the beds.

Just over a week later, on April 15, a River resident returned to her home in London Road to find doors forced open and the rooms left in a mess. Jewellery, designer clothing and cash had been taken.

On the following Wednesday, a pensioner caught Thatcher rummaging through her bedroom. When she challenged him, he shoved her to the ground and fled the scene with her belongings, leaving her with head injuries.

"He had no other option but to admit it in court..."

Thatcher was charged with the three burglaries and admitted the offences when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court.

DS Jay Robinson, of the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad, said: "Fortunately Thatcher’s reckless approach to his offending left behind plenty of evidence against him, which meant he had no other option but to admit it in court."