A house burglar and prolific criminal who went on the run from Sutton Police has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

George Patching, 25, pleaded guilty to residential burglary and associated offences at Maidstone Crown Court on October 6.

He had been released from prison earlier this year but was recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his release.

Patching, from Tooting, fled the recall and went on the run, but was traced by Sutton Police Crime Squad to an address in Kent.

This came after Sutton Police appealed to the public for information on Patching in relation to five burglaries that took place in Wallington and Carshalton in April and May 2016.

Det Insp Chuks Gwam, head of the Crime Squad at Sutton Police Station, said: "This is an example of Sutton Police working in partnership with forces outside of London and it sends a clear message that we will work tirelessly to catch criminals wherever they are and bring them to justice."

Sutton Police added that they believe Patching has committed a "significant amount of criminal activity" in the borough.