A man has been jailed after spending a victim’s cash to buy himself drinks at a bar.

Scott Parker cycled to a house in Birch Close, Sherwood, wearing a high-vis vest and rucksack.

The occupiers were out and Parker kicked open the front door during the break-in on February 15.

He damaged a television and stole around £250 in cash, a distinctive money tin and a mobile phone.

Parker rode off and the victims alerted the police when they returned home.

Detectives completed house-to-house inquiries and recovered CCTV footage that showed Parker in the area on his bike.

Officers also went to a pub near where the burglary took place to find out if anybody in a high-vis vest had been seen.

Examination of CCTV footage at the premises showed Parker arriving there on his bike shortly after the break-in.

He then was seen emptying the stolen money tin and buying some drinks.

Parker was recognised by officers who viewed the footage and was arrested two days later on February 17.

The clothing he was wearing on the CCTV was also seized.

Parker, of Hornbeam Avenue, Tunbridge Wells was later charged with burglary.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday and the 46-year-old was sentenced to 14 months in prison.

Det Con Dave Evans, of the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad, said: "Parker brazenly burgled a house in broad daylight and stopped at a nearby pub to spend his ill-gotten gains.

"His arrogance was his downfall and inquiries by investigators secured sufficient CCTV footage to ensure his conviction.

"Parker had no consideration for the impact his actions would have on the victims and thoroughly deserves his time in prison."