A burglar described as a “one-man crime spree” was arrested after police found him hiding in a wardrobe.

James Zammutt, 22, was jailed for four years last week after admitting 82 break-ins.

Police went on the hunt for Zammutt, of The Yard, Braintree, after he committed an offence whilst wearing an electronic buddy tag.

Officers launched a search for the 22-year-old after he was detected going over the back fence of a house in Albert Road, Braintree.

Acting DCI Alan Stevens, of Braintree CID, said: “We were able to pinpoint him at the scene of a burglary, but we later found him at his girlfriend’s address.

“He was found in the wardrobe of a bedroom in his girlfriend’s house.

“I think it was a shock both for him and the officer who found him - I don’t know who was more surprised.”