Churchgoer John Samuels claimed he turned to burglary after falling out with religious leaders.
He said they did not approve of a woman he fell in love with and decided he should be excommunicated.
Fed-up Samuels, 33, teamed up with villains and carried out two smash-and-grab raids on jewellers, Basildon Crown Court heard.
Samuels, of Balmoral Road, Westcliff, pleaded guilty to the burglaries in which he netted more than £15,000.
Prosecutor Simon Gerrish said Samuels refused to name others who had taken part in the raids. At a Leigh jewellers' shop, they cut a hole in the metal shutters and stole watches and other items valued at £15,363, said Mr Gerrish.
He added that Samuels cut himself in the burglary and police scientists were able to match his blood through DNA tests.
In Rochford, he smashed the front window and got away with an unknown quantity of jewellery but again Samuels cut himself.
His barrister, Gelaga King, said Samuels was thrown out by his church leaders about two years ago and he turned to criminal activities.
Mr King said Samuels was unhappy about not being able to reconcile his differences with the church which was not named in court.
Around the same time a drill went through his foot while working on a demolition site. The injury left him traumatised, added Mr King.
He said: "He bitterly regrets his offending. He had hoped the church would provide some kind of safety net for him but they turned their backs on him."
Recorder Martyn Levett jailed Samuels for two years.
Published Friday, April 25, 2003
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