A HEARTLESS thief who stole Christmas presents from an address in Harwich and attempted to break into a dozen other homes.

Heath Vosper, of HMP Onley, Northamptonshire, appeared in Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday charged with three counts of burglary, ten counts of attempted burglary, and one charge of theft.

Of those charges, Vosper was found guilty on two counts of burglary and eight counts of attempted burglary.

The charges relate to offences committed shortly before Christmas Day in 2021 when Vosper, 31, broke into an address in Rectory Road, Harwich.

Along with Shauna Reynolds, Vosper stole wrapped Christmas presents on December 20, the court heard.

Two days later, Vosper, who was this time operating alone, burgled an address in Goodlake Close where he stole wrapped and unwrapped Christmas presents, glasses, jewellery and a mobile phone.

Vosper then tried to break into ten other addresses the same day, including three homes in Artillery Drive, four in Stour Close, two in Hazelville Close, and one in Hankin Avenue.

After failing to force his way into the addresses, it is alleged Vosper then turned his attention to a car, stealing a SatNav, AUX cable, and £30 in cash from inside, but he was cleared of this charge.

Some weeks later, on January 10, Vosper and Reynolds then teamed up again when they burgled an address in Hopton, Norfolk, stealing an iPad and a fishing reel.

Reynolds, of Pound Farm Drive, Harwich, was also sentenced in Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday for her part in two burglaries.

Judge Richard Wilkin sentenced Reynolds, 37, to a jail sentence of one year and four months, suspended for one year and she was also ordered to pay £156 in costs.

A far longer sentence was handed to Vosper for his 10 convictions of burglary and attempted burglary.

Judge Wilkin jailed Vosper for four years and three months.

John Wade, the Conservative councillor for Tollgate ward, said of the sentence: “I am pleased to see that a sizeable sentence has been passed on Vosper and Reynolds.

“The burglaries and attempted burglaries which took place before Christmas two years ago will have had a real impact on the victims, and it is important the perpetrators are held to account for their actions.

“I hope this serves as a deterred to anyone who may commit any crimes in Harwich and further afield.”