A THIEF went on a “campaign of burglary” that saw him target a series of supermarkets, cafes, takeaways and pubs in Southend - including stealing charity pots.

Daniel Steward, 26, of no fixed address, was originally jailed for six weeks on April 18 in Southend Magistrates’ Court.

Immediately upon release he began a spree of burglaries, stealing from shops including Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s and causing more than £5000 worth of damages.

Steward was charged on theft, common assault and six counts of burglary.

He appeared in Basildon Crown Court on Friday, to be sentenced by Judge Ian Graham - who jailed him for a year.

Steven Attridge, prosecuting, said: “There was a burglary in Tesco Express, Southchurch Road, Southend at 4am on May 14.

“The defendant was stopped by store staff as he was holding a bag for life and trying to leave the store with goods.

“A tug of war ensued over the bags contents and the defendant managed to leave the store after pulling the bag away.”

Steward continued by forcing entry into Cliffs Pavilion Theatre in Station Road, Westcliff, at 3.30am on June 3.

He broke the glass panels on the theatre’s doors and took tills, the total loss to the business was £4,790 in damages.

On June 7, Steward broke into Katy’s Cafe Lounge in Rochford to take a till.

June 8 saw Steward break into Pizza Man in Victoria Avenue, Southend and take a money tin, credit card machine and a Deliveroo machine.

The next day Steward broke into the Railway Pub on East Street just after midnight and took four charity boxes.

A resident was living in an upstairs flat and heard the break-in but Steward did not interact with them.

The Park Tavern in London Road was Steward’s next target on June 10, as he broke two till machines and took £350, as well as taking a raffle box containing £100.

Steward burgled the Guilford Pub in Sutton Road taking charity pots and alcohol worth £252.

Finally, he stole ten packs of Lurpak butter from Sainsbury’s in West Street, Rochford, worth £54.

Judge Ian Graham described the offences as a “campaign” and jailed Steward for one year.