A single fingerprint helped police catch 18-year-old burglar Barry Williams.

The print, discovered after Williams raided a house near his home in Victoria Road, Laindon, led to him being sent to a young offenders' institution for six months.

Williams knew the householder and was aware that he was on holiday in August last year, said Gerald Keightley, prosecuting at Basildon Crown Court.

The barrister added that the owner returned from holiday to discover £2,300 in property missing, including jewellery, shirts and a mobile phone.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing two mobile phones from his employers -- the phone repair firm of Crossman in Seax Court on the Southfields factory estate, Laindon.

Mr Keightley said Williams concealed the phones, valued at £400, in carrier bags and hid them in a clump of nearby bushes.

Williams, who stole to fund his drug habit, has previous convictions for shoplifting and theft. He was still on conditional discharge for stealing.

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