A burglar who ransacked a boy’s bedroom while he was sleeping has been jailed for three years and four months.

Thomas Love, of no fixed address, used a ladder to enter the 12-year-old’s bedroom as part of a burglary spree in Basildon overnight on June 21.

Love was disturbed when the lad woke however he still managed to make off with cash, a Playstation games and a controller.

The burglary was one of three committed by the 22-year-old in Somercotes and Baker Close overnight on June 21 while homeowners slept.

Love was arrested in Laindon just after 7am on the morning of the burglaries and taken to custody where he refused to take a drugs test and spat at a custody sergeant.

He was charged with three burglaries, one attempted burglary, an assault on a police officer and refusing to provide a sample for a drugs test.

Love was found guilty of all of the offences at Basildon Crown Court and was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment on Monday, October 5.

Det Con Angie Coxon from Basildon CID said: “Thomas Love went out that night on a burglary spree, going from one burglary to another with a complete disregard for the law.

“He showed no regard for the thoughts and feelings of the victims, particularly for the boy who woke from his sleep to find Love ransacking his bedroom.

“I hope that he uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions and change his ways.”