A gang of burglars who stole more than £200,000 worth of property from homes and shops across five counties has been sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison.
The four men worked together to target properties and jewellery shops across Suffolk, Essex, Kent, Surrey and London between April and November 2015.
They broke into homes and stole cars parked outside – and then used them to commit further burglaries.
The men stood trial at Chelmsford Crown Court during which the court heard how forensic evidence, including DNA traces found on a half-eaten pasty, sausage roll packet and socks, helped to identify those involved.
They were convicted on March 29 and were sentenced at the same court yesterday.
George Robinson, 30, of Holland Road, Clacton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries. He was sentenced to seven years in jail.
David Speed, 29, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and conspiracy to disguise criminal property and was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries. He was sentenced to 10 years.
Alan Speed, 32, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries and conspiracy to disguise criminal property. He was also sentenced to 10 years.
Jimmy Stevens, 37, of no fixed address, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries and conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries.
He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Dc Aimee Burton, from Colchester CID, said: 'During the trial last month the court heard how the gang worked together to steal cars from properties across five counties and clone the plates to then use them to burgle commercial premises.
'Evidence including fingerprints and DNA traces found on a half-eaten pasty, sausage roll packet and socks left in some of the stolen vehicles linked the men to the crimes.'
A fifth man, John Lenihan, had previously been charged with conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries.
He was found not guilty.
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