A prolific burglar who stole more than £40,000 worth of goods from people's homes in the Tendring area has been jailed for four years.

Paul Cockayne, 20, of no fixed address but formerly of St Osyth, admitted breaking into three houses when he appeared before Judge Christopher Ball, QC, at Chelmsford Crown Court, on Friday.

Cockayne asked for 20 other burglaries in the area to be taken into consideration. He was also sentenced for another burglary at Mill Street, St Osyth, in June last year, and breaching a probation order, which he admitted at an earlier hearing.

Stephen Harvey, mitigating, said: "He has assisted in the recovery of some property in the value of £1,500. His girlfriend and father stand by him. His problem has been drug addiction."

Judge Ball said because of the "three strikes and you're out" rule, the starting point was three years in prison.

He gave Cockayne credit for "wiping the slate clean," but said: "The people burgled feel frightened and vulnerable. You have stolen property with great sentimental value but also leave behind a life of fear."

Published Monday, March 11, 2002