A bricklayer from Epsom has been sentenced to eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.

Christopher Potter, 23, of The Greenway, was arrested on Wednesday and charged later that day after he was found attempting to sell stolen jewellery, including wedding rings, earrings and a silver chain, in Epsom the previous day.

Police officers traced some of the jewellery back to two burglaries which happened in Cheam Road, Ewell, last weekend.

Potter was charged with two counts of handling stolen goods and appeared at South East Surrey Magistrates Court yesterday, Thursday, September 22where he was sentenced to four months for each offence consecutively.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Leigh Wall said: "Being able to reunite these victims of crime with their stolen jewellery is a great feeling.

"Due to help from the community providing information about Potter peddling the stolen goods we were able to make a swift arrest and put him before the courts within 24-hours.

"Information from members of the public and those in the jewellery exchange trade continues to prove pivotal in assisting us targeting those who attempt to profit from other peoples' misery.

"I hope Potter's sentence serves as a stark deterrent to anyone else thinking of trying to sell-on stolen goods in Surrey. We have excellent links in the community especially at gold-exchange outlets and we will work hard to target burglars and handlers of stolen goods."