A couple were attacked after being woken by a burglar who climbed through the window of a Bromley home, a court heard.
Peter Harlow stole more than £21,000 worth of cash and belongings from homes in south-east London during a home invasion spree last June.
Croydon Crown Court heard that one burglary turned violent when the career criminal climbed through an open window of a home in Portland Road.
Prosecutor Samuel March said a couple were sleeping on a blow-up mattress in the living room, which Harlow entered at 4am.
Their son, who is the homeowner, and grandchildren were asleep elsewhere in the house.
“The couple woke up and saw the defendant, who demanded money from them,” Mr March said.
A fight began in which Harlow threw a punch at the man that also made contact with the woman, before he fled empty-handed.
In a victim impact statement, the man said he was used to physical altercations but worried for his family’s safety.
“This is their home and they should feel safe here. The incident has left me feeling worried and concerned for them in case he comes back,” he said.
Between June 3 and June 23, Harlow carried out five more burglaries at homes in Chislehurst, Mottingham, Blackheath and Sevenoaks.
Most of the burglaries took place in broad daylight while the occupants were out, the court heard.
Harlow forced entry by breaking a window before stealing cash, jewellery and electrical items.
Through a combination of blood samples and CCTV footage, police were able to identify Harlow as the offender.
Harlow, 39, has an extensive criminal record including convictions for 21 dwelling burglaries.
He was jailed for four-and-a-half years in August 2023 for burglaries in Sussex, but was released on licence at the time of his latest offending.
Defending, Steve Nelson said his client had been released to a probation hostel in Dartford where he relapsed into crack cocaine use as he was surrounded by other users.
“He fell into the use of crack cocaine at a high level and these offences were carried out to feed that habit,” Mr Nelson said.
Mr Nelson said Harlow is deeply remorseful for his behaviour and conveyed his apologies to the family he assaulted.
He said Harlow has tackled his drug abuse while in prison and hopes that when he is released he can be a useful member of society.
Harlow pleaded guilty to six burglaries and three charges of common assault.
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Judge Antony Hyams-Parish, sentencing, said: “You need to really understand the devastating effect of burglary on the victims, whether they are in the property or not.
“It is absolutely devastating to come back to your house and find it has been burgled.
“The effect on those you assaulted is plain to see from the victim impact statement, I’ve no doubt it was extremely distressing for them, but I also don’t lose sight of the effect on any victim of burglary even when the victims are not present at the time.”
He sentenced Harlow to six years in prison.
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