A 29-year-old man has pleaded guilty to burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and driving without a licence and insurance after being arrested last week in Harwich.

Craig Lock, of no fixed address, admitted the offences on Monday, January 8, at Colchester Magistrates’ Court and is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, February 2.

On Tuesday, November 7, a man called police at around 5pm saying his home in Lucas Avenue, Fordham, near Colchester, had been burgled while he was at home.

The suspect had ransacked the house, stealing watches, a camera, cuff links and bottles full of loose change.

After the scene was examined, forensics officers discovered a fingerprint and managed to track down Lock to an address in Main Road, Harwich.

On Friday, January 5, Lock was arrested in connection to the burglary as well as connection to the theft of a car from Princes Road in Harwich which happened on Monday, November 13, at around 4pm.

The victim had reported to police that his car had been stolen and driven off by Lock, who was disqualified from driving and had no insurance, while he was loading items into his car.

Investigating officer Dc Mike Heslegrave said: “The team have put in a lot of work to locate Lock, who has no known address, and bring him a court.

“The evidence against him was so compelling that he was arrested, charged and remanded to appear in court the following day where he admitted all offences.

“This case just shows that if you enter someone’s home and take their possessions it is only a matter of time before we find you and bring you to court.”