THREE men have appeared in court in connection with two burglaries in East Tilbury.

The Co-op and a nearby storage unit at Stanford House, both on Princess Margaret Road, were broken into in the early hours of Friday, 9 April.

Connor Reeves, 22, of Stanford Court, Central Road, Stanford-le-Hope, was charged with two counts of burglary, possession of a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place, and possession of cannabis.

Karl Taylor, 36, of Spencer Walk, Tilbury, was charged with two counts of burglary and possession of cocaine.

Both admitted the charges and are due to be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on 10 May.

Jamie Dowman, 36, of Raphael Avenue, Tilbury, admitted the burglary at the Co-Op and denied the burglary at the storage unit. He is due to stand trial at Southend Magistrates' Court on 3 June.