A thief who stole jewellery worth more than £35,000 from homes in Sittingbourne, Maidstone and Medway has been jailed for four years.
Christopher Swanson, 41, of Primrose Cottage in Borden, pleaded guilty to charges including burglary, handling stolen goods and fraud at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.
He asked for 28 other offences to be taken into consideration in sentencing.
Police caught Swanson after he left his DNA at the scene of a burglary in Sittingbourne. Following a search of his home, officers discovered receipts from pawnshops across the country.
After a lengthy investigation, more than 100 items - including necklaces and rings from nine different pawnshops - were seized. Many have since been reunited with their owners.
Investigating officer DC Mark Whewell-Jones said: “Swanson was a career criminal who made his living out of other people’s misery. Many of the items he stole held great sentimental value and were owned by elderly people.
"Luckily we’ve managed to return some of the items to their owners but unfortunately, they will have to live with the distressing experience they went through.
"I hope this positive outcome to the case will mean Swanson’s victims can move on with their lives.”
POSTED: 19/06/2008 15:34:03