A HARWICH man has been jailed for more than two years for a spate of burglaries and charity box thefts to fund his drug addiction.  

Luke Harvey, 30, of Valley Road, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court after appearing before Chelmsford magistrates twice in June.

Harvey admitted committing six commercial burglaries between April 19 and June 3 and 13 shop thefts across Harwich between March 31 and June 9 this year.

They included a break-in at the Alma Inn on May 20 which saw about £300 worth of donations to the Harwich Home Start charity stolen. 

Sentenced - Luke Harvey, 30, of Valley Road​ was sentenced to 32 months of imprisonment (Image: Essex Police)

Harvey was jailed for 30 months for each burglary, to run concurrently to each other, and a further two months for each shop theft to run concurrently with each other - making a total of 32 months in jail.

Harvey stole goods worth £3,000 in total, including an air rifle, gold rings, silver jewellery, and cash from a Little Piece of History, and goods worth £1,000 including a charity box from Hair by the Station.

At the Alma Inn, £2,500 of damage was caused to a 200-year-old window.

Harvey stole mince pies worth £31.50 and meat and steak worth £20 from the Co-operative, and £30 in cash from Pacific 7 Fish and Chips.

He also enterted Tea at Patricia's with the intent to steal.

Sgt Vanessa Moss, of the Harwich community policing team, said: “Harvey is a prolific offender and committed the burglaries and shop thefts to fund his drug habit.

“He broke into several independent businesses and stole cash and charity boxes as well as goods, causing harm and distress to the owners.

"It’s not just what he stole, it’s the damage he caused which meant that the owners not only had to pay for repairs but also lost business because they had to close their shops while the damage was put right.

“Harvey also stole food and groceries from several stores in the town. Again, although the value of goods stolen on each occasion was small, often less than £50, it all adds up and small businesses can ill-afford the losses.”

Spotted - Luke Harvey and Regan Burdis as seen on CCTV from their Alma Inn break-in (Image: The Alma Inn) Harvey and Regan Burdis, 20, of Talbot Street, were captured on CCTV by the Alma Inn. 

Regan Burdis was sentenced at Colchester Magistrates' Court in June after admitting two charges of beating an emergency worker in August 2023 and burglary in May this year. 

She was sentenced to 14 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 12 sessions of mental health treatment, up to 30 hours of rehabilitation, and to pay £500 compensation.