A prolific burglar, who was caught red-handed attempting to escape a house he had broken into, has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Neighbours spotted a man trying to break into a property in Coggeshall Road, Kelvedon, and called Essex Police.

When officers arrived at the scene they found the man, identified as Darren Boylan, had 28 items on his person – all of which had been taken from the house.

He pleaded guilty to burglary at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 4. Boylan, of Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, also admitted to another seven burglaries in Billericay, Kelvedon, Shenfied and South Woodham Ferrers between June and September of this year.

On Friday he was sentenced on Friday to for four-and-a-half years in prison.

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 on September 5 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.”

Police are investigating whether Boylan committed other offences, contact Braintree CID on 101.