A father-to-be who stole to try to provide for his unborn baby was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.

Jonathon Howe, 23, of Neil Armstrong Way, Eastwood, had pleaded guilty to three charges of burglary and two of theft at Basildon Crown Court.

One of the offences included stealing cash and jewellery from his parents home. This was despite the fact he was already on bail for a number of other offences.

Sentencing Howe, Judge Philip Clegg said: "Bearing in mind the time you have already served you should be out just in time to see your new baby."

"A lot of people expecting a child don't turn to crime to finance it."

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