A serial burglar was caught on camera as he targeted as many as nine homes in one hour.

In what Josh Plant himself later described as a “night of stupidity”, the 22-year-old was recorded by a Ring doorbell breaking into a property in Beech Grove in Cliffsend, Ramsgate, at 11.45pm on October 13 last year.

Having forced his way in through patio doors and stolen a handbag and watch, the thief then made his way around neighbouring streets in a bid to find more loot.

Canterbury Crown Court heard he was again filmed by doorbell cameras as he tried, unsuccessfully each time, to gain access to properties, including a second in Beech Grove, three in Earlsmead Crescent, and four others in Ash Court, Foads Lane, Delacourt Close and Old Hall Drive.

By 12.45am he was under arrest but became violent, kicking a female police constable multiple times in the legs and causing her to fall to the ground.

It was also discovered that shortly before his burglary spree, he had been drinking at a friend’s house, only to drive off in the pal’s Vauxhall Astra without his permission

The car, which was reported as stolen at 11.30pm, was found the next day in a field off Nash Road, Margate, having ploughed through a fence.

“He says this was a night of stupidity he is sorry for…”

Plant, of Westbrook Road, Margate, subsequently admitted aggravated vehicle taking, burglary, eight offences of attempted burglary, and assault on an emergency worker.

The court was told he was on licence from prison at the time, having been jailed for a total of 32 months just a year earlier for offences which included three break-ins.

At his sentencing hearing on Thursday, he appeared via link with Sheppey prison Swaleside, having been recalled.

Defence barrister Samuel Glanville said Plant could not remember events on October 13 but added: “He says this was a night of stupidity he is sorry for.”

Jailing him for a total of 21 months, Judge Simon Taylor KC remarked on the “destructive” impact burglaries have on householders.

He told Plant: “I really do hope you learn from this experience and put your criminal offending behind you. Stop making stupid decisions.

“You need to realise how devastating it is for people to have worked hard to build a home for themselves, only to have them invaded.

“It’s totally devastating, totally destructive.”

Plant will also be subject to a 12-month driving ban once released from prison.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Georgie Taker said: “Plant committed a series of offences in a short space of time, upsetting a lot of residents.

“Through the vigilance of the community, and the availability of technology such as doorbell cameras, officers were able to present a strong case against him, resulting in this prison sentence.”