A teenager broke into a home in the street where he lived at night and drove off with the owner’s car.

Billy Treays later drove the Vauxhall Astra dangerously through the streets of Gravesend after being spotted by police.

Officers were alerted just after 11pm on July 29 this year because the car did not have lights on.

They gave chase along Milton Road, Elliott Street and Havengore Avenue. He eventually abandoned the car in Roehampton Close.

The officers heard another youth say: "Did you see what Treays just did?"

Prosecutor Toby Long said the police national computer was checked to find out who the car owner was.

Officers went to her home in Thistle Road, Gravesend, and woke her up. She then discovered the house had been burgled while she and her partner slept.

She said the car should have been parked outside. Entry to the house had been via a kitchen window which had been left slightly open.

The car keys had been taken along with a Gucci wallet containing cards and an E-cigarette, Mr Long told Maidstone Crown Court.

Treays, 18, of Thistle Road, admitted burglary, car-taking, dangerous driving and having no insurance. He had previous convictions for burglary, including another in the same street.

He was sentenced to two and a half years youth custody and banned from driving for two years. He will have to take an extended test before he can drive again.

Recorder Brian Argyle told him: "You have a very bad record. Night time burglaries are much worse. Not only do people suffer that misery, there is a feeling of anxiety and insecurity having been in bed while their premises have been burgled.

"So, this is a serious and nasty offence and you are doing it again."