TWO dopey crooks led police to their door after giving pawnbrokers their real names and addresses while selling stolen loot.

Prolific railway criminals Philip Guiver and Robert Kennedy made the blunder leading cops to catch up with them.

Between May 3 and May 4 this year, the pair stole four bikes from Laindon, Basildon, Leigh and Southend stations.

They came a cropper when Guiver, 23, went into a pawnbroker in Basildon on May 5 to sell a bike he had stolen from Southend the day before.

But the bike had been security-marked by its owner and the pawnbroker became suspicious and contacted police.

Officers from British Transport Police began probing Guiver’s activities and discovered he and 21-year-old Kennedy were behind several thefts from stations across south Essex.

After each theft, the dopey duo would visit pawnbrokers across the area to exchange the stolen bikes for cash. But the pair would leave their real details, leading police straight to them.

Guiver, of St Chad’s Road, Tilbury, pleaded guilty to four counts of theft while Kennedy, of Gainsborough Avenue, Tilbury, admitted three thefts when they appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

They were given 12-week jail terms, suspended for a year, and ordered to pay £120 compensation to one of their victims.

Following the sentencing, investigating officer Det Con Mike Ganly, of BTP, said: “Guiver and Kennedy stole bikes from stations in south-east Essex and thought they were being clever by selling the bikes in a different area.

“Not only were they known to BTP for previous offences, but handing over their personal details to receive money from pawnbrokers was not a smart move, and ultimately resulted in them being caught out.

“Both these men are persistent offenders who have caused misery to many people across south-east Essex.”

Ian Palmer, security manager for c2c, said: “We will continue to work closely with British Transport Police to prevent such instances of crime around the railway and to identify and seek prosecutions for those responsible.”