A BURGLAR who stole more £6,000 worth of goods from a home in Loughton has been jailed for four years.

Sam Grieveson, 26, of Pyrles Lane in Loughton was brought back to Essex after being arrested in Cornwall on suspicion of a separate offence in November last year.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that he made off with items including a laptop computer, jewellery, and a games console from the home in Mead Close on May 6 last year.

Police issued an appeal for information after they discovered a passport photo of a young man left at the scene, but the man in the photo eventually turned out to be unconnected with the case.

Grieveson was also charged with causing £350 damage to a fence at a neighbouring property as he made his escape.

He denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury which then heard that he had previous convictions for burglary theft and vehicle-taking.

Detective Constable Kerrie Katinas, who investigated the theft for the Loughton Burglary Team, said: "Essex Police officers have been working tirelessly to prevent burglaries and to bring offenders to justice. I am really pleased that we have been able to put this man behind bars.

"The sentence reflects the severity of this man’s offending and he has now been taken off the streets.

"We urge members of the public to be vigilant with security and also to contact us immediately if they see any suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods.”

Most of the stolen goods were eventually recovered.