A burglar has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after a PCSO recognised him pulling his trousers up.

Charles Traverso, 44, was arrested after he was caught on camera breaking into a restaurant in Medway Street, Maidstone, where he took alcohol and about £700 at about 8am on Saturday, January 11.

He used a wooden plank to move a metal window bar and get in before loading what he stole into two bin liners.

He used a shopping trolley to get them to his home in Brenchley House, Week Street.

During the investigation a PCSO viewed CCTV footage of the break-in which showed Traverso pulling up the waistband to his trousers.

This was recognised as a particular habit of his, who had previous convictions for burgling business premises.

He was arrested on Thursday, January 16, and later charged with burglary.

"Traverso is fully deserving of a custodial sentence."

At Maidstone Crown Court an additional burglary charge was added after the 44-year-old was also linked to a break-in at a take-away in Sandling Road, on Monday, January 13.

Traverso pleaded guilty to both offences and was jailed for 18 months on Thursday.

Insp Mark Hedges said: "Local knowledge can often be key to tracking down known offenders such as Traverso, which is one of the reasons why our PCSOs are so invaluable to the communities they serve.

"Traverso is fully deserving of a custodial sentence. He is a repeat offender who clearly cares very little about the impact his actions have on hard-working shop owners and businesses, who are left out of pocket and having to foot the bill for repairs."

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