A burglar, who carried out three break-ins in nine days, has been jailed for nearly four years.

Tre Lewis, 23, of St Egberts Way, Chingford, was charged with three counts of burglary and admitted at Chelmsford Crown Court to his offences on Monday February 17.

He was jailed for a total of three years and nine months.

Lewis first stole items including jewellery, worth a four-figure sum, were taken from an address in Sunnyside, Epping, on Tuesday, January 7.

CCTV from the area showed two men walking from the area the burglary took place and officers identified one of them as Tre Lewis.

Then, on Thursday, January 16, addresses in Graylands, Theydon Bois and York Road, North Weald, were broken into and thousands of pounds in cash, as well as watches taken.

When officers were called to the break-in in North Weald they searched the area and when they came across Lewis, he ran away from them.

He was later found and arrested.

Officers also identified him as being inside the address in Theydon Bois from CCTV at the scene.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rob Guiney, from Loughton CID, said: “Burglary is a horrible and invasive crime which can leave the victim feeling unsafe in their own home.

“Tre Lewis showed complete disregard for the people whose homes he broke into and had no qualms about going through their possessions and stealing their property.

“Due to the quick response of officers responding to the burglary call, Lewis was arrested shortly after the Theydon Bois break-in and, due to the evidence against, him has been left with no option but to plead guilty.

“He now has the next few years to consider the consequences of his actions.”