A serial burglar was once again behind bars today as the result of stealing to feed his drug habit.

Brendon Rea, 38, broke into two flats in April while he was on licence, having already served part of a three year sentence for other burglary offences.

Rea kicked in the doors of two flats in West Road, Westcliff, and made off with a Nike rucksack, a leather wallet, a £5,000 bond certificate, a Sony PlayStation, a coffee jar containing £2 of loose change and an American Express gold card.

He was spotted by police walking down the road and was later arrested at his home in Elderton Road, Westcliff, where he admitted the crimes.

Mr Justice Michael Yelton at Basildon Crown Court ordered Rea to serve the nine months outstanding of his original sentence plus a further 12 months for the most recent burglaries.

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