A burglar who was located and arrested at his home just 15 minutes after breaking into a property in Chelmsford has been jailed.

Ian Slater, 39, of Pembroke Place, Chelmsford, was sentenced to 12 months for burglary at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday after admitting the offence.

At around 1.15am on Friday, September 15, police received reports of a burglary at an address in Partridge Avenue, Chelmsford.

A man inside the property challenged Slater, who fled from the scene with a bag full of items, including a mobile phone.

Police identified an address of interest in Woodhall Road and visited it at around 1.30am when they heard the victim’s phone ringing.

Officers visiting the address saw Slater through his window, putting stolen property into his pocket.

He also switched the lights off within the property.

Police forced entry to the address and arrested Slater inside before locating the victims’ stolen property.

DS Neil Tremain, of Chelmsford CID, said: “Within 15 minutes of the burglary taking place, we located the suspect at his home.

“Slater received a shock when we knocked at his door and he pretended that he wasn’t in.

“He put the phones in his pocket, switched his lights off and thought we’d just leave.

“He thought wrong and we forced entry to his home and arrested him.”

Slater appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison for burglary.

Anyone with information on crime can contact Essex Police on 101, or dedicated crime fighting charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, to report information online visit crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously