A MAN has admitted 13 burglary-related offences following the work of detectives at Essex Police's criminal investigations department.  

Shane Smith was responsible for 11 burglaries, one attempted burglary and an associated fraud, which all took place in the Braintree district between August 2022 and March 2023  

During the incidents, items such as bank cards, phones and televisions were stolen.  

In one instance, a West Highland Terrier was also taken. Thankfully, the pet was quickly recovered.

In one instance, Smith left behind a cap and a metal car jack. DNA taken from jack by a crime scene investigator resulted in a match for Smith. 

Smith was arrested in March and subsequently charged with a number of incidents. 

As the investigation progressed, detectives were able to link him to the 13 offences. 

That list includes incidents in St Edmund’s Lane, Dunmow, Ivytodd Hill, Debden, Bridgefarm, in Great Bardfield, The Broadway, in Dunmow, Cranham Road, in Little Waltham, Waltham Road, in Boreham, Terling Hall Road, in Hatfield Peverel, Bury Fields, in Felsted, Station Road, in Elsenham, Brewers End, in Takeley, Wicken Road, Clavering and Langley Uppergreen, in Saffron Walden.

Smith, 31, of Little Dunmow, will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 10, where a number of other offences will be taken into consideration ahead of his sentencing. 

Det Chief Insp, Rob Huddleston, who oversees investigations in north Essex, said: “We know burglary is among the most violating of crimes a victim can experience and catching those responsible for burglaries is a force wide priority. 

“The scale of Smith’s offending shows the importance of the team’s work in catching him and ultimately putting him before the court and supplying the Crown Prosecution Service with overwhelming evidence against him.”