This grinning burglar is behind bars after picking on the wrong victim... with dire consequences!

Daniel Hedgeley, 20, raided a home in St Lukes Road, Maidstone at around 8.30pm on April 16 this year.

But as he rifled through the owner's possessions the man, who was in his garden workshop, noticed a light on and the back door open.

When he saw Hedgeley, and confronted him, the homeowner was headbutted and grabbed around the throat.

In the scuffle, Hedgeley broke loose, and grabbed for a wrought-iron door stop.

Not only did the have-a-go homeowner disarm him, he then overpowered him and - with a neighbour's back-up - called police and Hedgeley was arrested.

"Hedgeley met his match in the homeowner, who bravely over-powered him and detained him until officers arrived to arrest him" - Det Con Neil Buckle

The homeless raider later pleaded guilty to burglary with violence and also to his part in a separate burglary, and two counts of handling stolen goods.

Hedgeley was sentenced to four years in prison at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday.

Speaking after sentencing, Det Con Neil Buckle said: "To be burgled is upsetting enough, but to catch the offender in the act, and then be assaulted is a terrible thing to happen to someone.

"Fortunately, Hedgeley met his match in the homeowner, who bravely over-powered him and detained him until officers arrived to arrest him.

"This was a nasty incident and it is very pleasing to see Hedgeley being sent to prison."