AN UNEMPLOYED homeless man who burgled as many as 40 homes in just six weeks has been jailed for six years.

Peter Flowers, 43, and his girlfriend Lindsay Hilden, 37, both homeless, were behind the long string of burglaries in Ilford, Chadwell Heath, Romford, and six areas of Essex between December 13 2016 and February 1 2017.

The couple were arrested near the home of their last victim in Coombewood Drive, Chadwell Heath, in the early hours of February 1.

Police ended up linking them to 40 burglary investigations, which involved over 60 witnesses across east London and Essex.

When he was arrested, Flowers was wanted for failing to appear on police bail for driving while disqualified and without insurance, possession of a knife, and cocaine.

He admitted the charges in court on May 3 and was disqualified from driving for four years.

On Friday (August 4) he appeared at Basildon Crown Court for sentencing, where the judge handed him six years behind bars for the burglaries, driving, drugs and weapons offences.

Hilden will be sentenced later this month after admitting her part in the break-ins on March 24.

Investigating police officer PC Michael Brimfield said: “Hilden and Flowers are prolific offenders who have shown no regard or remorse for their actions.

“They turned up to their victims’ addresses and forced open the front doors before carrying out messy searches and taking their possessions.

“On occasions they would wake their victims by turning on the house lights or by being heard chatting and even laughing.

“They were linked to 21 burglaries reported to us between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, six of which occurred in one morning alone.

“I would also like to thank all the victims for their support in bringing Flowers to justice. He now has plenty of time to think about his actions behind bars.”