A prolific burglar who targeted a Woodford Green street three times in less than three weeks has been jailed.

Michael Raviraj, of West Drayton in Hillingdon, was sentenced to four years in jail yesterday (June 29) at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary and admitted to committing a further 14 burglaries.

Raviraj targeted Navestock Crescent, Woodford Green, three times in February and March earlier this year.

On February 28 in Blenheim Court, Navestock Crescent, Raviraj forced his way into a property and stole a number of electrical items.

Two weeks later on March 13 in Lambourne Court, Navestock Crescent, Raviraj again forced his way into a property and stole an iPad.

Then on March 17 in Lambourne Court again, he stole computer equipment.

In April officers from Redbridge Police began an intense search for Raviraj, after he was identified by CCTV evidence for burglary offences in Woodford Green.

On May 21 at 6.10am officers attended an address in Falling Lane, West Drayton to arrest him.

Raviraj attempted to escape via the back window.

Upon seeing officers he gave himself up and was subsequently arrested.

Various items were seized from the property, including clothing worn during the burglaries.

He was charged with four counts of burglary, which included one in West Drayton, and later admitted to a further 14 burglaries across Redbridge, Waltham Forest and Barking and Dagenham boroughs.

Redbridge Police Sergeant Matt Taylor said: "I am pleased with this sentence and can only hope that residents will be reassured Raviraj will be off the streets for some time."

Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, from the area forensic conversion team, said: "After some excellent man-hunt enquiries by Sgt Taylor and his team to track down this prolific offender, officers from the Forensic Conversion Team successfully charged Raviraj with four burglaries.

“After admitting these crimes, he went on to admit another 14 burglary offences that he had committed.

“These were taken into consideration by the court and the sentence of four years is a true reflection of the gravity of his crime spree.

“An excellent and thorough investigation by Detective Constable Andy Revell and my team means numerous victims now have closure on their intrusive burglary crimes."