A BURGLAR has been sentenced to three years in custody after being caught trying to break into a house.

James Sullivan, aged 20, of Rowan Crescent, Dartford, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on July 20 after pleading guilty to burglary.

Sullivan also asked for 60 burglaries, three thefts, two incidents of criminal damage and one of taking a vehicle without consent to be taken into consideration.

The court heard he was arrested after being seen by plain clothes police officers as he attempted to force open the front door of a house in Princes Road, Dartford, on March 16.

After inspecting the house, the officers discovered Sullivan had also tried to force open patio doors with a spade.