A burglar was arrested after he drove a stolen car past his victim’s house in Basildon, just as a police officer was taking a statement from the owner.

Tommy Bassett had stolen the Volkswagen Golf and a three figure sum of cash and vouchers from Cromer Close, at 1.30am, on February 24.

He also stole a Mercedes Benz from a driveway in Claremont Road, Basildon, that same morning.

DC Charlie Cronin, of Basildon CID, said: "Later that morning, I was taking a statement from the Cromer Close victim when he saw his car being driven past the window and said ‘That’s my car’.

"We ran outside and saw Bassett park the Volkswagen next to a Mercedes, which turned out to be the car stolen from Claremont Road.

"I arrested Bassett there and then.”

Bassett, 23, of Rye Mead, Langdon Hills, appeared at Southend Crown Court yesterday and was sentenced to a total of 42 months in prison.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary, for which he was jailed for 42 months for each count, to run concurrently.

He also admitted aggravated vehicle taking and was sentenced to 12 months, to run concurrently, and disqualified from driving for three years.

Bassett also admitted two counts of driving while disqualified and one count of taking a vehicle without consent, for which he was sentenced to four months each, all to run concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.