A criminal who stole from Sevenoaks sheds, garages and even a funeral directors has been jailed after being caught red-handed with the tools of his trade.

Lee Martin, who is homeless, was locked up for two years and eight months after admitting four counts of a burglary, seven counts of theft, criminal damage and going equipped for theft.

The 42-year-old was arrested in May in St Johns Hill when a police officer on routine patrol saw him and stopped him in connection to a break-in in Kippington Road.

Inside the bag carried by Martin the policeman found a pair of bolt cutters, a wrench, wire cutters and a torch.

The other offences Martin committed between April and May include breaking into a shed belonging to Knole Academy in Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, on Saturday 15 April 2017. He was seen on CCTV stealing a TV from the shed and also later identified after his fingerprints were found inside the shed.

He also stole two bicycles valued at around £3,000 from a garage in St Georges Road, Sevenoaks on Monday 15 May 2017 and pleaded guilty to smashing a glass at Doves Funeral Directors in St Johns Hill where he also stole a charity box.

"He pleaded guilty to his crimes and I hope that this admission goes some way to helping him to change his lifestyle and the pattern of behaviour he has undertaken" - Detective Constable Bob Fursey

His other offences include smashing the window of an Audi A3 and stealing documents from inside the vehicle, stealing a bike from a teenager who had gone into a shop and left the bicycle outside, and on separate occasions stealing chocolate, meat and alcohol from inside shops.

He also stole a charity box located in a convenience store in Seal Road, Sevenoaks and stole a bicycle which was locked near the Royal Mail Sevenoaks delivery offices.

Detective Constable Bob Fursey said: "Martin committed a number of offences throughout Sevenoaks causing misery for the people affected by his crimes and he didn’t once stop to think about his actions.

"He pleaded guilty to his crimes and I hope that this admission goes some way to helping him to change his lifestyle and the pattern of behaviour he has undertaken".