Two prolific burglars who “terrorised the business community in Southend” have been sentenced after admitting burgling ten businesses.

Connor Diack, 25, of no fixed address, and Jamie Craig, 22, of Cluny Square, Southend, broke into ten businesses in March and April last year while using a stolen van to travel to most of the crime scenes.

Diack broke into three vehicles overnight on Monday, March 13, 2017 in Scarborough Drive, Olivia Drive and Hillside Crescent, Leigh, while Craig was involved only with one of these incidents.

Diack also admitted burgling DW Fitness Club, in Wakering Road, Southend, on Monday, August 18, and breaking into a home in Thurston Avenue, Southend, on Thursday, December 28.

Connor Diack received two years and six months for burglary, 18 months for seven counts of burglary and three counts of attempted burglary at businesses, to run consecutively, and eight months concurrently for another business burglary.

He also received six months for three counts of theft from vehicles and nine months for stealing a van, to run concurrently, at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, April 12.

Jamie Craig, 22 received an 18-month criminal behaviour order and a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for seven counts of burglary, three counts of attempted burglary and one count of theft of motor vehicle.

This sentence was at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, January 25,

He has since failed to comply with the requirements of the order and on Friday, April 20, at the same court was sent to prison for four months.

PC Kevin Oxlade, of Southend policing team, who investigated the business burglaries, said: “Diack and Craig are prolific offenders who have shown no consideration for their actions or the victims.

“They terrorised the business community in Southend, either breaking into buildings and taking items or causing damaging after trying to gain access.

“Diack faces a lengthy period in prison after burgling a home during the festive period when the occupants could have been inside.

“Fortunately they were not and we arrived quickly.”