A prolific burglar has been jailed after his DNA was linked to three of 13 offences committed in his home town of Margate.

Eugen Balog, 30, of Cliff Terrace, Margate, was arrested and charged on May 14 for three Margate burglaries after his DNA had been linked to them.

They were at Byron Avenue on January 22 and Northumberland Avenue on April 2, where no items were stolen and at Avenue Gardens on April 1 where Balog stole games, consoles, TV, laptop, watches and other items worth more than £3,000.

At Medway Magistrates Court on May 16, Balog asked for 11 further offences to be taken into consideration.

They included burglaries and thefts in Margate as follows: Nash Court Road, February 3, property stolen valued at £1,060; Nash Court Road, February 7, property stolen valued at £1,400; Dane Valley Road, February 19, property stolen valued at £830; Leicester Avenue, between March 1 and 7, TV and necklace stolen; Wellis Gardens, March 4, £10 cash and a DAB radio were stolen; Westcliff Gardens, April 23, property valued at £908 stolen; Northumberland Avenue, April 29, laptop stolen; Ramsgate Road, May 8, Property stolen valued at £1,000; Westbrook Avenue, April 10, property stolen valued at £4,750.

Balog admitted all the offences at Canterbury Crown Court. He also admitted criminal damage to a cell at Margate Police Station on May 15 and an attempted burglary at Westwood Road, Broadstairs, on May 9.

He was yesterday sentenced to three years in prison by the Canterbury court.

Detective sergeant Neil Watford said: “Balog is a prolific burglar and his offending has caused a great deal of distress to the victims, not only through the loss of their personal property, but the invasion of their private space and the damage caused when he smashed windows to gain entry.

“We use the latest forensic techniques to gather evidence to bring offenders like Balog to justice and I’m pleased that another prolific burglar is behind bars and unable to commit any further offences.”