A THIEF responsible for a spate of car crime was sentenced and behind bars just a day after his arrest.

Paul Golding, 34, was arrested at his home on Little Wakering Road, Southend, last Tuesday, after officers found a hoard of stolen goods taken from vehicles in Thundersley and Rochford during the previous week. He was charged later that day and appeared before a judge at Southend Magistrates Court the following morning where he was sentenced to nine months behind bars.

Castle Point chief inspector Paul Eveleigh said: "The amazing thing is the fact the offences were committed last week. On Tuesday he was charged and by Wednesday he was in prison.

"In the space of five days he has gone from being at liberty and committing offences, to being behind bars."

Golding's spree began on Grandview Road, Thundersley, where he broke into six vehicles and one garage during the night of Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3.

Four days later he struck again taking goods worth more than £5,000 from cars and vans parked on Golden Cross Road, Rochford. Between 6pm on Sunday, April 6 and 5am on Monday, April 5, Golding stole three sets of power tools and copper piping from the top of a Renault Kangoo Van.

Officers tracked him down after someone living in Grandview Road handed them the registration number of a van he had seen acting suspiciously in the area.

The vehicle was traced to Golding and when officers visited his home they recovered property taken during the burglaries.

Chief Insp Eveleigh said: "We are grateful to the member of the public who passed the information to our officers.

"If you notice anything suspicious feel free to call us."

For non emergencies contact the police on 0300 3334444.