A burglar of no fixed address who hid from officers after breaking into a family home in Ashford at Christmas time has been jailed.
Antony Allen pleaded guilty to the offence before Canterbury Crown Court.
Kent Police was alerted to a burglary in Boxley, Ashford shortly before 2am on Friday 26 December 2025, when a resident arrived home to find the house in disarray. It’s reported Allen had broken into the property a few hours earlier, stealing cash, jewellery, bank cards, handbags and other personal belongings including electronic ear buds.
After completing their initial enquiries, officers swiftly tracked the offender via the ear buds to a nearby address, where he was found hiding in a loft. The ear buds and several other items belonging to the victims were recovered at the scene.
Allen, 47, was arrested and was charged the following day.
After admitting to the burglary before the court, he was sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
PC Isobel Harper said:
‘The impact of Allen’s offending cannot be underestimated and I am pleased he has received a custodial sentence. The victims in this case were made to undergo the trauma of having their house turned upside down, along with the loss of items that were important to them. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home, and I hope the family can begin to recover from this frightening experience now that the offender has been brought to justice.’