A prolific burglar who targeted businesses in rural parts of Epping Forest has been jailed.

Scott Bishop was sentenced to 15 months behind bars at Basildon Crown Court on Friday after admitting to a pair of burglaries in the area.

On the evening of December 28 last year, the 44-year-old, of Railway Square, Brentwood, broke into Stapleford Abbots Golf Club by smashing a clubhouse window.

Once inside, he stole a trophy and a coffee machine before making a getaway.

A matter of hours later, Bishop targeted another business in the village, this time in Bournebridge Lane, stealing several computers and printers.

However, police caught up to the burglar last month and he was arrested and later charged with the offences.

He admitted both burglaries, and also activated a 12-week suspended prison sentence he had picked up after pleading guilty to burgling a business in Chelmsford Road, Shenfield last August.

PC Lewis James, from Essex Police said: “Bishop is a prolific burglar who targets businesses for his own gain without any consideration of the emotional and financial loss on the victims.

“The businesses affected had to replace the items that he stole and repair the damage that he caused. The total loss to both businesses was well within a five-figure sum.

“Bishop has shown no remorse and showed complete disregard to his previous sentence and will now spend time locked in a prison cell.”