TWO men have admitted burgling charity shops in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff.

Jake Smith, 19, of York Road, Southend, pleaded guilty to burglaries at the Sue Ryder Care and British Heart Foundation charity shops last month. He was also admitted a burglary at Hunters Solicitors also in Hamlet Court Road which happened in November last year.

He also asked for five further matters to be taken into consideration, all involving burglaries at charity shops in Hamlet Court Road.

He has been remanded in custody for sentencing later in March.

On Thursday, March 1, police also arrested and charged 19-year-old Connor Byrne of York Road, Southend, in connection with the same two charity shop burglaries in late February.

Byrne appeared before Southend magistrates on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to the burglaries at the Sue Ryder shop and British Heart Foundation Shop. He received a total of 84 days imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. He was also given a curfew to remain at his home address between 7pm and 7am for six months.