A PROLIFIC thief who stole bicycles from railway stations across south Essex has been jailed for seven months.

Callum O’Brien, 21, of Bourne Avenue, Laindon, was jailed after he admitted stealing 15 bikes over a three-month period.

Officers from the British Transport Police arrested O’Brien after he was caught on CCTV selling stolen bikes at pawnbrokers in Basildon and Pitsea.

The officers had compared the images from the shops with footage of the thefts at stations to find their man.

Speaking after he was sentenced, Pc Jack Bower-Wilson said: “O’Brien was a prolific thief, who thought stealing bikes was an easy source of money.

“He stole cycles from 10 stations, and would undoubtedly have stolen more had he not been arrested.

“We work hard to raise awareness about cycle security among the travelling public, but sadly bikes remain a popular target for thieves.

“However, as O’Brien found out, if you steal bikes the chances are you will be caught on CCTV and you will be arrested.”

O’Brien pleaded guilty to 15 counts of cycle theft and was sentenced at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23.

As well as being jailed for seven months, he was also fined £400 and ordered to pay £1,800 in compensation.

O’Brien stole cycles at the following locations this year:

Brentwood railway station on March 16

Rayleigh railway station on March 17

Benfleet railway station on March 20

Billericay railway station on March 31

Billericay railway station on April 3

Rayleigh railway station on April 15

Rochford railway station on April 15

Grays railway station on April 16

Laindon railway station on April 16

Westcliff railway station on April 25

Benfleet railway station on May 12 

Leigh-on-Sea railway station on May 16

Leigh-on-Sea railway station on May 26 

Shenfield railway station on May 30

Laindon railway station on June 3