A burglar has been jailed just three days after being arrested at the scene of two Sevenoaks break-ins.
Stephen Clark broke into two town centre restaurants within the space of 30 minutes but was quickly tracked down by patrols who found him hiding underneath a counter.
Clark targeted a venue in Dorset Street, and Budare in The Shambles, between 10.30 pm and 11pm on Friday 31 May 2024.
He forced the doors at both venues, damaging glass panels, frames, and locks in the process.
Officers attended the scene, where they found Clark hiding behind the counter in Budare.
The 49-year-old was later charged with two counts of burglary and remanded in custody. He attended a hearing at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Monday 3 June, where he was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
Police Sergeant James Page, of the West Division Victim-Based Crime Team, said:
‘Clark caused considerable damage to both premises and stole cash from local business owners, causing them inconvenience and placing them under undue financial stress.
‘I am thankful to the officers who responded quickly to the initial emergency call and arrested Clark swiftly. It is down to their teamwork that Clark, a repeat offender, didn’t avoid arrest.’
