A FORMER locksmith, who made a key to open high-value jewellery cabinets in Colchester department store Williams and Griffin, was jailed for two years.

Michael Townsend, 45, who has been homeless since 2004, admitted stealing seven watches, a necklace and designer sunglasses, worth £4,579 in total, over two weeks in September, a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court was told.

Recorder Humphrey Malins jailed him for thefts committed between September 8 and September 24.

Townsend also asked for 14 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Lorraine Webb, prosecuting, said staff at the store realised seven watches, worth £3,830, had been stolen from the Links of London department.

Police arrested Townsend in the store. He told officers that over the past month, he had stolen items using a key he had made to open cabinets. He used to be an experienced locksmith.

He said he was homeless and hungry, and had lived off the money he got from selling the items.