A man who carried out a spate of burglaries in South Norfolk and Essex last year escaped prison yesterday.

Bradley Jeffreys, of Steeple in Southminster, Essex, broke in and stole jewellery and electronic goods amounting to more than �10,000 during August 2010.

Norwich Crown Court heard that the houses had been unoccupied at the time of the crime.

Prosecuting, Guy Ayers said the 20-year-old had been arrested because of scientific evidence and because he had spoken about what he had done to others who had reported him.

Richard Fox said in mitigation that the burglaries were completely out of character for Jeffreys. He was under pressure to pay for a house from his father and he had lost his job.

'He was somebody that didn't deal particularly well with pressure at the time', he said.

He added: 'He is remorseful for what he has done. He understands that he has to be punished.'

Judge Paul Downes handed him a 12 months prison sentence which he suspended for two years. He gave also Jeffreys a 12 month supervision order and said he must carry out 150 hours of community work.

He said that although the goods Jeffreys had stolen had been of a high value and the people whose houses had been burgled would think he was being soft, there were considerable pressures on Jeffreys at the time.