A burglar who tried to flee the UK after carrying out a crime spree across seven counties has been jailed.

Leonardo Velasquez-Valencia, 37, has admitted ten counts of burglary covering Kent, Essex, London, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Wiltshire.

Kent Police said officers were called to a report of a burglary at a property in Sevenoaks just before 7.30pm on February 8.

The suspect left the scene by foot prior to officers’ arrival with various items including jewellery, cash, a laptop, and a handbag.

A probe saw detectives identify Velasquez-Valencia as the perpetrator after a forensic examination of the property recovered some DNA.

Collaborative work with other forces then revealed he was responsible for a number of burglaries which occurred elsewhere in the country between February 1 and March 29.

To avoid police, Velasquez-Valencia flew to Canada on May 25.

But was refused entry for having $6,700 Canadian and US dollars on his person and no valid reason for carrying such a large quantity of cash.

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He was arrested and remanded upon his return to the UK in connection with the Sevenoaks burglary and a number of others.

Velasquez-Valencia was jailed for three years and nine months at Maidstone Crown Court on October 31.

Det Const Joshua Littley, of Kent Police said: "Velasquez-Valencia committed a crime spree, for his own financial gain, giving little thought to the impact on his victims.

"He callously stole heirlooms, sentimental jewellery pieces, and caused substantial damage to a number of properties.

"His actions not only left victims feeling unsafe in their own homes but grieving the loss of items that held considerable meaning for them.

"I hope the offender’s lengthy custodial sentence offers some comfort to those he wronged and serves as yet another reminder to perpetrators and would-be criminals that crime does not pay."