A man has been jailed for three years following an attempted burglary at a shop in Dunmow.

Phillip Pardoe, 32, of The Hyde, Langdon Hills, received three years for burglary and three years for theft, to run concurrently, at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday.

He was previously found guilty of the burglary offence on July 16.

Luke Scott, 31, of Takely Ride, Basildon, also admitted burglary on March 20 and was given two years in prison, suspended for two years.

He must also attend a thinking skills programme and complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

Jamie Pearce, 30, of Cokefield Avenue, Southend, was found not guilty of burglary.

At around 2.05am on April 2, 2017, Pardoe and Scott arrived outside Co-Op in Flitch Green in stolen vehicles.

They smashed the store window, entered the building and put a chain around a cash machine and a Land Rover Discovery.

They then tried twice to pull the machine out of the building but failed to move it.

They abandoned the Land Rover nearby, before leaving the area in a BMW X6, which was found abandoned in Beaulieu Park, Chelmsford, after it was spotted by police.

Scott was found by a police dog hiding in some bushes where he claimed he was sleeping, however, he was wearing the same clothes seen on CCTV.

Police then linked Pardoe to DNA found in the vehicle.

Investigating officer DC Greg Najdan, of Braintree CID, said: “Scott and Pardoe drove a car through the window of a shop, forcing it to close while repairs took place and causing further financial loss to the victim.

“They targeted a rural shop many miles away from their own homes in an attempt to fund their own lifestyles. Fortunately, they were not successful.

“The case is now complete and I hope today’s result offers some justice for the victim.”