A prolific Croydon burglar has been sentenced to more than five years in prison following a series of break-ins earlier this year.

Anthony Murray, 34, of Purley Way rifled possessions from homes including jewellery and cash, during a four month crime spree which included areas in Hever, Penshurst and Sevenoaks as well as properties in Surrey.

He was initially arrested on April 5, but later bailed as Kent Police continued to build enough evidence to press charges.

Detectives had a major breakthrough in the case, when an ear ring stolen from a property in Oxted was recovered during a search of Murray’s home in Croydon.

The investigation also revealed Murray had been using a silver BMW, which was reported to have been seen at multiple crime scenes, while forensic tests showed footprints found in burgled homes were a likely match to shoes he had been wearing.

In total Murray was charged with six burglaries, carried out between March 6 and July 13, including one he had committed while on bail.

Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court Murray pleaded guilty to all the offences. On August 31 he was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months in prison.