POLICE have detailed how they managed to track down a 'burglar who wasn't very bright' after he left a bloody trail to his guilt.

As reported previously on Thurrock Nub News [L] https://thurrock.nub.news/n/more-than-100-crimes-56-appearances-in-court-and-season-burglar-gets-32-months-behind-bars-for-latest-string-of-raids [L+] Joshua Wiggins, who is linked to a couple of addresses in Thurrock including Buckles Lane in South Ockendon and Schoolfield Way, Grays, is now behind bars after being sentenced at Basildon Crown Court.

Wiggins left his own blood at the scene of two crimes giving police vital forensic evidence that was pounced on by the local policing team in Grays, Joshua Wiggins, 23, is now beginning a sentence of two years' eight months after pleading guilty.

The court heard how on October 29 last year, Wiggins forced his way into Swallows Florist in Stanford-le-Hope after kicking a door in.

He ripped out a till, causing injury to himself in the process, before dumping the till opposite the shop. However, a blood smear he left on the till meant officers had a vital piece of evidence to help catch him. During the break-in, Wiggins also damaged a cupboard and smashed bottles of champagne and in total caused £500 damage.

Just under a month later, on November 27 last year, Wiggins broke into a fish and chip shop at the Lakeside Business Village. He again ripped out the till, which contained just £1 in cash, causing significant damage to wiring, the till and the window and shutter of the shop. In total Wiggins caused around £1,000 damage.

However, crucially for police, in ripping out the till Wiggins had again caused injury to himself and left another vital forensic clue in the form of another blood smear.

Forensic tests of the blood left at both crime scenes led officers to arrest Wiggins.

He was arrested, charged and pleaded guilty to both burglaries when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court. He also admitted failing to comply with the terms of the Sex Offenders' Register and to eight other burglaries.

Following the sentencing PC Annabel Courtnell of the Grays local policing team said: "Wiggins had absolutely no thought for the victims in this case, not content with stealing from them he caused significant amounts of damage to both businesses.

"The last year has been really tough for our local businesses and the last thing any of them need is to be targeted in this way.

"Fortunately, Wiggins wasn't very bright and left his blood at both scenes which gave us the vital forensic evidence we need to ensure he was swiftly brought to justice.

"We will continue to protect and serve our communities, including our valued local businesses, and criminals can rest assured that we will continue to do all we can to put them behind bars."