BURGLARS who were caught because of half-eaten pastries and a pair of socks have been convicted of stealing more than £200,000 worth of goods.

The group targeted homes and jewellery shops across Essex, Suffolk, Kent, Surrey and London between April and November 2015.

They broke into houses, stole cars parked outside and then used the vehicles for more crimes.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard forensic evidence, CCTV and automatic number plate recognition had helped to identify those involved. 

David Speed, 29, of no fixed address, admitted conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and conspiracy to disguise criminal property and was convicted of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries.

Alan Speed, 32, of no fixed address, admitted conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and was convicted of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries and conspiracy to disguise criminal property. 

George Robinson, 30, of Holland Road, Clacton, admitted conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and was convicted of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries.

Jimmy Stevens, 37, of no fixed address, was convicted of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries and conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries. 

Colchester CID led the investigation. Det Con Aimee Burton said: “The gang stole cars cars from properties and cloned the plates to use them to burgle commercial premises. 

“Evidence including fingerprints and DNA traces found on a half-eaten pasty, sausage roll packet and socks left in some of the stolen vehicles linked the men to the crimes.”

They will be sentenced on Thursday. John Lenihan was cleared of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries