AN armed intruder been jailed for more than seven years after threatening a family in their home.

The sentence comes after work by Essex Police investigators to identify and arrest him despite his efforts to evade the law.

Belay Zeine entered the home, in Corringham, through the back door at about 10am on April 6 2023.

He was dressed as a police officer and carried handcuffs and an imitation firearm.

Once inside, he handcuffed and threatened a mum and three children, while demanding money and to be sent cryptocurrency.

Upstairs, one of the children, a teenager, was able to quietly call 999 and ask for help.

Downstairs, Zeine snatched one of victims' phones and continued to demand that he be sent cryptocurrency.

When he was repeatedly told there was no cryptocurrency to give, he panicked and assaulted one of the family, causing him to fall downstairs and sustain a head injury.

As this was happening, the mother managed to free herself from the handcuffs alerted neighbours to the incident. While this was happening, Zeine fled the scene.

Officers quickly arrived and initially weren't able to find Zeine.

However, police were quickly able to identify him after carrying out a number of checks and executed a warrant in the Chelsea area of London, where Zeine was arrested.

A search of another property linked to him uncovered a number of imitation firearms, tactical vests and batons. All items were seized and will be destroyed.

Zeine, 32, of Ixworth Place, London SW3, was charged with robbery in a dwelling, two counts of false imprisonment, possession of imitation firearm while committing an offence according to Schedule 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 and assault.

He was due to stand trial at Basildon Crown Court on 9 September but admitted the offences on the first day and was sentenced on Tuesday, 15 October to seven years and four months.

Jailed - Belay Zeine

Detective Inspector Lisa Hurrell, who ran the police investigation, said: "This was a terrifying experience for the family, who showed incredible bravery during the incident, from the teenage child being able to dial 999, to the mother freeing herself and alerting neighbours. 

"Zeine escaped the area initially but as a result of some really targeted work, we were able to identify him as a suspect quite quickly and get warrants for a number of premises linked to him – and arrest him."

DI Hurrell added: "Although we now know the handgun to be an imitation, the family will not have known this, which again only serves to show their bravery.

"Zeine had initially denied being behind the incident but on day one of his trial, the evidence caught up with him and he had to admit his guilt.

"And I hope this sentence goes some way to helping this family to move on from Zeine's horrific actions."