A MAN has been sentenced to more than two years in prison, after being pleading guilty to committing burglaries on vulnerable people. 

Charles McGinley, 28 of Sherwell Road, Bristol, appeared at Basildon Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple burglary offences.

The investigation was launched in 2019, after Essex Police received reports of residential burglaries in Grays and Basildon.

On Wednesday, 6 February, officers received a report of a residential burglary at an address in Little Thurrock.

The 91-year-old victim was at home when McGinley knocked on the door and claimed to be from the council needing to check something in her property. Despite continuously being asked to leave, McGinley began opening the victim's cupboard and drawers. Only once he had left, the victim noticed that £50 had been stolen.

On the same day, Essex Police received another report of a theft in Tilbury involving McGinley.

The 84-year-old victim was struggling with a trolley when McGinley stopped and offered to help. When he had gone, the female victim noticed that her purse had been stolen.

Later that day, at around 4:20pm, McGinley forced entry to another address in Benfleet where he pushed an 85-year-old woman before stealing £700 in cash and jewellery. 

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Officers put a marker on the vehicle McGinley was driving which was stopped on 11 February in Telford and he was arrested.

In interview, McGinley tried to claim he had never been to those parts of Essex and provided no comment to most questions.

He was charged with two counts of burglary dwelling and theft, one count of theft and one count of attempted burglary dwelling with intent to steal.

At Court McGinley pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.