A burglar who took part in a string of break-ins across the county has been jailed.

26-year-old Matthew Squibb, of Marlowe Gardens, Romford, was found guilty at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 10 was jailed for two years and three months.

Over a three-day period between Tuesday, November 20 and Friday, November 23 2018, Squibb broke into several addresses.

He stole money and jewellery from properties on Poplar Row in Theydon Bois, Shaftsbury Road in Epping, and Lavender Avenue in Kelvedon Hatch.

On each occasion at least two men were involved and a silver Mercedes estate was either seen by witnesses or captured on CCTV.

Investigating officer PC Frankie Cole, from Brentwood CID, said: “Matthew Squibb is a prolific burglar who has little or no respect for other people’s property.

“Burglary is a really invasive crime where the victim has their personal space and belongings violated, and it can have a long lasting impact on them.”

Following the break-in in Lavender Avenue, Kelvedon Hatch on November 23, officers traced the vehicle to the petrol station at Tesco at Gallows Corner, Romford.

Three days later officers were driving along the A12 when they came up behind the same silver Mercedes.

Identifying it was on false number plates, they stopped it and arrested the driver who was identified as Squibb.

The coat and hat Squibb was wearing at the time were identical to those the man pictured in the CCTV at Tesco.

Further investigations also found he was also banned from driving at the time he was arrested.

Squibb was charged with three counts of burglary, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

The 26-year-old also admitted to his part in a theft of £1900 worth of engine oil at Meads service station in Purfleet on Thursday, June 19 2018.

Squibb was jailed for one year and four months for one count of burglary and one year to run consecutively for the theft of the engine oil.

He received 12 months concurrent for each burglary and one month concurrent for driving whilst disqualified and has been banned driving for a further eighteen months.

“Due to the evidence against Squibb he had no option but to plead guilty, but he has refused to give us the details of the others involved,” said PC Cole.

“I hope this sentence will help the victims of this crimes move forward.”