A burglar been jailed for more than four years after raiding a home and using a stolen car to use a McDonald's drive-through. 

Martin Reynolds broke into the property in Sandown Road, Benfleet, overnight on Monday, May 1, stealing a black Nissan Qashqai, bank cards, and a purse containing cash.

The car was found abandoned in Monarch Close, Tilbury on Friday, May 5.

Following forensic examination of the car two finger prints belonging to Reynolds were discovered -one on the driver’s belt buckle and one of the car’s boot lid.

The vehicle was also caught on CCTV going through the McDonald’s drive-through at the Mayflower retail park in Basildon on May 1.

A receipt for McDonald’s closely matching the time the vehicle had been spotted at the drive-through was also found in the car.

Reynolds, 31, of no fixed abode, was arrested on Monday, July 24 in the Tottenham area of London.

He was later charged with burglary, theft from a person, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on August 23 he pleaded guilty to the offences and, on the same day, was jailed for a total of four years and four months, including a four month sentence for theft and handling stolen goods relating to a separate incident.

He has also been disqualified from driving for three years and two months.

Investigating officer Pc Emma Chambers, from Operation Titan in Southend, said: “Martin Reynolds is a prolific offender who has no respect for other people’s property.

“I am pleased he is now behind bars and will have a significant amount of time to consider the consequences of his actions.”