A prolific Essex burglar who police said had “no qualms” has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after being caught red handed leaving a house he had just broken in to.

East Anglian Daily Times: Darren Boylan was handed a jail sentence for a string of burglaries in Essex. Picture: ESSEX POLICEDarren Boylan was handed a jail sentence for a string of burglaries in Essex. Picture: ESSEX POLICE (Image: Archant)

Darren Boylan of Goodmayes Lane in Ilford, Essex, was spotted by neighbours trying to break into a house in Coggeshall Road, Kelvedon at around 2.45pm on Tuesday, September 5.

The neighbours called police who arrived to find a man who emerged as the individual attempting to break in.

When he was searched, the 48-year-old was found to have 28 items on him which had come from the house he had just broken into and burgled.

Essex Police officers arrested and Boylan, and after questioning charged him with burglary.

He pleaded guilty to burglary at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 4.

Since then the prolific offender has admitted to a further seven burglaries in Kelvedon, Billericay, Shenfield, and South Woodham Ferrers, which all took place between June and September this year. Investigations by officers helped link him to the other incidents.

During sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, Boylan was handed a four-and-a-half year jail sentence.

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Sedgwick said: “Darren Boylan is a prolific burglar with no respect for his victim’s property.

“It is galling that he has no qualms about forcing his way into someone’s house and take items which have great monetary and sentimental value.

“The break-in in Coggeshall Road in September was a brazen attempt to burgle a house in the middle of the day.

“Thanks to the quick actions of the victim’s neighbour and our officers, we caught Boylan red-handed leaving him with little option but to admit to his crime.

“Further good work by the team in CID linked him to other burglaries which he then admitted to carrying out.

“Burglary is a horrible, invasive crime and I hope Boylan uses his time in prison to reflect on the impact of his actions.

“We are investigating whether he may have committed any other offences.

“If you have anything you wish to report or discuss with an officer please contact Braintree CID on 101.”