A GANG has been jailed for a spree of burglaries when they were caught after attempting to break into a Southminster store.

Jamie Johnson, Robert Flint and Joshua Lloyd were jailed for more than 16 years after being linked to a series of burglaries through forensic examination work, CCTV and phone analysis.

The three faced multiple charges of burglary, attempted burglary and conspiracy to burgle.

The attempted burglary charge relates to an incident in Southminster on April 4. At around 12.10am three men were seen outside Rightprice convenience store in North Street, Southminster.

Two attempted to break open the door, returning about three hours later but drove off in a Ford Fiesta after the alarm sounded.

The Fiesta was stopped on the southbound A13 about two hours later. It was driven by Johnson, the sole occupant, who was arrested at the scene.

Lloyd was arrested later that day at his home in Oak Green, Billericay.

All three were charged in January this year with conspiracy to burgle, seven counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary.

They stood trial at Basildon Crown Court on October 16.

Flint, of Queen Elizabeth Drive, Corringham, and Johnson, of Littlebury Green Basildon pleaded guilty to the burglaries at the Co-Op in The Sorrells, Stanford-le-Hope, Co-Op Nevendon Road, Wickford and William Hill Bookmakers, Grange Parade, Billericay.

Lloyd, 22, pleaded guilty to burglary at the Co-Op in The Sorrells, Stanford-le-Hope and Rightprice Store, North Street, Southminster.

All offences took place between January and April 2016.

Flint was given a total of 5 years 8 months for burglary and six months for disqualified driving, to run concurrently, in relation to a separate incident. He was also disqualified from driving for 34 months, which will start upon his release.

Johnson was given a total of 5 years and 8 months for burglary and two months for common assault, to run concurrently, in relation to a separate incident while Lloyd was sentenced to a total of 4 years 5 months for burglary and attempted burglary.

Detective Chief Inspector Josie Hayes, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Flint, Johnson and Lloyd declined to answer questions during police interview and denied any involvement in these crimes.

“But ultimately the evidence against them was overwhelming and caught them out.”