A remorseless and prolific burglar has been locked up after raiding a number of homes in south Essex.

Mickey Scott burgled six different homes in Canvey and Benfleet in April and May this year.

The 30 year-old, from East Crescent, Canvey, stole numerous items including jewellery, bank cards, and money during the break-ins.

But the crook was linked to some of the burglaries through DNA after detectives found he had left a glove at one of the scenes.

His blood was also discovered on a stolen purse which was eventually recovered by police.

Scott was arrested and charged with six counts of burglary in July.

He admitted all the offences when appearing at Basildon Crown Court last week and was jailed for three years.

Det Serg Jenna McQueen, from Rochford and Castle Point CID, said: “Mickey Scott is a remorseless and prolific burglar and has no respect for other people’s property.

“Burglary is an awful, invasive crime and can leave victims feeling unsafe in their own home.

“For anyone to leave someone feeling that way is completely unacceptable.

“He will now spend the foreseeable future behind bars and our communities are safer for it.”

Det Insp Marcus Dodd, who leads the CID team, added: “I want to praise DS McQueen and her team, and particularly Detective Constable Emma Adam, for their hard work and dedication to ensure this prolific burglar is now behind bars.

“He has been brought to justice and the public protected from his selfish actions.”

The court ordered one count of burglary to lie on file