A burglar who went on a one-man crime spree of 13 break-ins in 11 days, leaving behind a £2,000 trail of damage has been let off with a conditional discharge.

Simon Hanks, 38, admitted five burglaries on shops and businesses across Leigh and another burglary in Basildon town centre.

He also asked police to take into consideration seven further break-ins in the Billericay and Basildon areas.

Hanks, of Grange Road, Leigh, appeared at Basildon Magistrates' Court, on Friday to be given a six-month conditional discharge.

The sentence allowed him to walk free from court - but meant if he committed further crimes his previous offences would be taken into consideration and he could face jail.

Between Saturday, January 13 and Saturday, January 20, Hanks stole £1,150 from businesses in Leigh. He broke into Chemys pharmacy and Langwoods hairdresser's, in Elm Road, as well as Prestige dry cleaners, in Rectory Grove, Footstop chiropodist's, in Rectory Grove and the Bottle and Basket shop, in Glendale Gardens.

He stole a further £700, in the Basildon and Billericay break-ins and caused more than £2,000 during his crime spree.

Police have declined comment publicly on the sentence. But Insp Dave Colwell, based at Leigh police station, said: "Small businesses cannot can ill afford such disruption. We treat such crimes as a priority."