A MAN who stole laptops from a Laindon primary school has been jailed for two-and-half following a thorough investigation by Basildon's Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).

In March staff at the school reported that vital IT equipment had been taken during an overnight break-in between 8 March and 9 March.

Ten laptops and one i-pad were stolen during the incident. 

On 10 March as NPT officers were investigating the break-in, colleagues from the Met stopped a vehicle which had been reported stolen in Essex on 8 March.

The driver of the car attempted to avoid officers as he travelled on the A13 near Wennington, following a tactical stop the driver attempted to flee, but was quickly arrested.

Officers discovered a number of laptops in the vehicle and following additional enquiries by NPT officers, Christopher Pender was charged with business burglary and motoring offences.

Pender, 34, of Rokells, Basildon, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday 17 April and admitted business burglary and motoring offences.

He also admitted to being in breach of his suspended sentence order.

At the same court on Thursday 22 May he was sentenced to 30 months in prison

Basildon NPT Sgt Ben Bayley said: "Our officers are committed to ensuring those who think they can commit offences in Basildon will be brought before the courts.

"We investigate business burglaries alongside other issues which we know matter in our neighbourhoods."