A “prolific” teenage criminal has been locked up after committing a series of offences including burglary and dangerous driving.

The 16-year-old boy from Basildon, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to a year in a detention centre, after he admitted a string of driving offences and theft crimes.

Basildon Magistrates Court was told he took a Honda 125cc motorbike from an address in Basildon on July 9 without the owners consent and drove it without insurance.

He then drove the motorbike dangerously in Laindon Link, Markhams Chase, and footpaths surrounding The Gore in Basildon.

A further charge related to handling a Mazda 3, stolen from Billericay between July 5 and 21.

He also broke into a house in Pittfields, Basildon, overnight on July 12 and stole water and helmets.

He was also charged with being a passenger inside a Mini Cooper, which he knew to be stolen, as well as handling the stolen car on July 24.

Magistrates sentenced him to a eight months in a detention centre for the burglary and a further four months for dangerous driving, to run consecutively.

His driving licence was endorsed and he was not ordered to pay compensation or court costs.

Det Con Emma Henderson, the officer in charge of the investigation, said the teenager was a prolific criminal and she was pleased he had been locked up.

She said: “We are pleased with the sentence that has been passed by the court.

“This teenager is a prolific offender, committing a string of offences in the Basildon area which he has nowbeen brought to justice for.

“He has not shown any remorse towards the victims of his crimes.

“I hope that he now has some time to reflect on what he has done and the effect his actions had on the community.”