A woman out browsing at Battlesbridge antiques centre spotted her own stolen gems up for sale, a jury heard.

The wife's surprise discovery later helped police investigating jewel thefts from 70 homes in Wickford, Rayleigh and Hockley, dating back to 1992.

Three people at Basildon Crown Court denied conspiracy to handle stolen property worth thousands.

One of the defendants, 37-year-old Ruth Wallace, ran the antiques jewellery stall at Cromwell House, Battlesbridge.

Jeweller Kenneth Massow, 54, of Weir Pond Road, Rochford, is alleged to have melted down stolen gold and turned it into bangles, while 20-year-old Stephen Smith, of Burlington Gardens, Hullbridge was said to have supplied the stolen property.

Anthony Abell, prosecuting, told the jury the burglary victim recognised her gems while she was browsing at Wallace's stall.

Mr Abell said Wallace told the woman she had bought the jewellery in the Midlands. She agreed to sell it back to the owner for £50.

Police were informed and found stolen jewellery at Wallace's home in Harrow Crescent, Harold Hill.

She is alleged to have received the jewellery from 39-year-old Martyn Read, who is said to have told her supplies were running low.

Wallace is alleged to have commented: "Well, you'll have to send the boys out again." Read was said to have replied: "I can't - they are all in prison."

Mr Abell said Read had admitted conspiracy to handle the jewellery in another court and was awaiting sentence. Since his arrest, he had turned "supergrass". He told police he sold items to Wallace and Massow, who runs Rochford jeweller, R. J. Yeo.

Read claimed Massow, turned gold jewellery into bangles.

The informer, who sometimes used the alias A. Stone, also claimed he acquired most of the stolen jewellery from Stephen Smith. He had asked Smith where the property came from and he'd smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

He said others were also involved in the conspiracy.

They included a Robbie Burton, who is awaiting sentence, and a man called Richard Moss, who died earlier this year.

The trial continues.

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