A drug addict has been jailed for a string of burglaries in mid Essex.

Lyndon Hawes, 23, admitted two burglaries and asked for another ten matters to be considered when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court. He was jailed for a total of three years.

Rowland Hardy, prosecuting, said Hawes, of Maldon Road, Danbury, was involved in a burglary at a shop called Whichcraft at The Green, Writtle, on April 14 where jewellery worth £1,900 was stolen. Damage to the premises amounted to £2,300.

On June 4, police followed a stolen Ford Escort which was abandoned in Heybridge. Two men were seen fleeing and Hawes was arrested later in a field.

On November 2, Mr Hardy said a woman returned to her home in Lodge Crescent, Boreham, and found it had been broken into. A fanlight window had been forced open causing £100 damage.

John Donnelly, mitigating, said Hawes committed the offences against a background of heroin and alcohol abuse.

Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002