A prolific burglar who struck at pubs in Bromley and assaulted a landlord with a spade has been jailed.

Michael Ryan, 39, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Croydon Crown Court.

Ryan admitted taking part in a string of burglaries across London, striking in Bromley, Petts Wood, Eltham, Sidcup, and beyond.

In November last year he and another man were involved in a Croydon burglary where the victim, a man in his 40s, confronted the pair after waking to find them taking a sledgehammer and spade to a fruit machine.

When he tried to stop them, the victim was hit over the head with the spade.

The incident was captured on CCTV and, after investigating, police arrested Ryan at a north London address in December for aggravated burglary.

Ryan pleaded guilty to burglary on May 30, with more than 50 incidents taken into consideration.

He told officers he needed money from fruit machines to fund his heroin and cocaine addiction.

Detective Constable David Thompson, from Croydon CID, said: "I would like to thank the victims from the many burglaries committed by Ryan as they provided us with great support and were patient during our extensive enquiries.

“Ryan is a habitual thief and the sentence reflects this. We remain committed to investigating all burglaries and bringing those responsible to court."