A man has been jailed over three burglaries in Rochford and Southend.

The burglaries took place over the course of six days between January 2 and January 8, 2018.

The Rochford Masonic Hall in South Street, Rochford was broken into on January 2 causing damage and a mallet was taken.

The second incident took place at the Rochford Methodist Church in North Street, Rochford overnight between January 5 and January 6 where a television, speaker system and electrical equipment was taken.

During the third incident, at the Holy Trinity Church in Southchurch Boulevard, Southend which took place between January 6 and January 8, damage was caused and a number of items including a silver engraved pen were taken.

Jake Smith, 24, of Chancellor Road, Southend was arrested on January 18 on suspicion of burglary and later charged.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on January 19 where he pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and was sentenced to a total of 12 months in prison.